Aerosol generation device and production method for aerosol generation device

ABSTRACT

Provided is an aerosol generation device that suppresses the effect that errors in the production of structural elements have on the accuracy with which shortage of an aerosol source is detected. An aerosol generation device that comprises: a power source 110; a load 132 that has a temperature-variable electrical resistance value and atomizes an aerosol source by generating heat due to supply of power from the power source 110; a first circuit 202 that is used for the load 132 to atomize the aerosol source; a second circuit 204 that is connected in parallel to the first circuit 202, has a higher electrical resistance value than the first circuit 202, and is used to detect voltage that changes as a result of changes in the temperature of the load 132; an acquisition part that acquires the value of voltage that is applied to the second circuit 204 and the load 132; and sensors 112B, 112D that output the value of the voltage that changes as a result of changes in the temperature of the load 132.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2018/002439, filed on Jan. 26, 2018. Thisapplication is related to U.S. Ser. No. ______, filed on Jul. 24, 2020;(Attorney Docket Number: 14809US01CON) entitled: AEROSOL GENERATIONDEVICE, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR OPERATING SAME and U.S. Ser. No.______, filed on Jul. 24, 2020; (Attorney Docket Number: 14813US01CON)entitled AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR OPERATINGSAME.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation device thatgenerates aerosol to be inhaled by a user, and a method of manufacturingthe aerosol generation device.

BACKGROUND ART

In an aerosol generation device such as a general electronic cigarette,a heated cigarette, or nebulizer, the aerosol generation device beingconfigured to generate aerosol to be inhaled by a user, if the userperforms inhalation when an aerosol source to be atomized to generatethe aerosol is insufficient in quantity, a sufficient quantity ofaerosol cannot be supplied to the user. In addition, in the case of theelectronic cigarette or the heated cigarette, there is a problem in thatthe aerosol having an unintended inhaling flavor may be emitted.

As a solution to this problem, PTL 1 discloses a technique for detectingthe presence of an aerosol source based on electric power required tomaintain a temperature of a heater configured to heat the aerosolsource. PTL 2 discloses an aerosol generation device having a shuntcircuit in addition to an aerosol generating circuit. PTL 3 discloses atechnique for reading, on a power supply side, information carried by acartridge for storing an aerosol source and performing the control basedon this information. PTL 4 to PTL 12 also disclose various techniquesthat solve the above-described problem or may contribute to the solutionof the above-described problem.

However, the conventional techniques require components including anammeter and a voltmeter to detect insufficiency of an aerosol source,resulting in increases in cost, weight and size of the device and thelike. In addition, the conventional techniques use a parameter variabledepending on errors of the components of the device, which causes lowdetection accuracy with respect to the insufficiency of the aerosolsource. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop the technique fordetecting the insufficiency of the aerosol source with higher accuracyafter the cartridge is replaced.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: European Patent Application Publication No. 2797446

PTL 2: European Patent Application Publication No. 1412829

PTL 3: International Publication No. WO 2015/138560

PTL 4: European Patent Application Publication No. 2471392

PTL 5: European Patent Application Publication No. 2257195

PTL 6: European Patent Application Publication No. 2654469

PTL 7: International Publication No. WO 2015/100361

PTL 8: Japanese Translation of PCT International Application PublicationNo. 2017-503520

PTL 9: International Publication No. WO 2017/084818

PTL 10: European Patent Application Publication No. 2399636

PTL 11: Japanese Translation of PCT International ApplicationPublication No. 2016-531549

PTL 12: International Publication No. WO 2016/143079

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The present disclosure has been devised in view of the point describedabove.

A first problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide anaerosol generation device with a smaller number of components to berequired and with high detection accuracy with respect to insufficiencyof an aerosol source, and a method and a program for actuating the same.

A second problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide anaerosol generation device that suppresses an influence of product errorsof components on detection accuracy with respect to insufficiency of anaerosol source, and a method of manufacturing the aerosol generationdevice.

A third problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide anaerosol generation device that can detect insufficiency of an aerosolsource with higher accuracy after a cartridge is replaced, and a methodand a program for actuating the same.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the first problem described above, according to afirst embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosolgeneration device comprising a power supply, a storage unit that storesan aerosol source or an aerosol base material that retains the aerosolsource, a load that generates heat upon receipt of electric power fromthe power supply and atomizes the aerosol source supplied from thestorage unit or retained in the aerosol base material using the heat,and in which an electric resistance value of the load changes inresponse to a temperature, a circuit that electrically connects thepower supply and the load, and a control unit configured to determinewhether the aerosol source that is capable of being supplied from thestorage unit or is retained in the aerosol base material is insufficientin quantity based on a first voltage value which is a value of a voltageapplied to an entire circuit and a second voltage value which is a valueof a voltage applied to a portion in the circuit where the voltage to beapplied changes according to changes in temperature of the load.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine that theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity when the second voltage valuesatisfies a first condition a plurality of times while the first voltagevalue is controlled to be constant or when the electric resistance valueof the load derived from the first voltage value and the second voltagevalue satisfies a second condition a plurality of times.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine that theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity when the first condition iscontinuously satisfied a plurality of times or when the second conditionis continuously satisfied a plurality of times.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to store the number oftimes that the first condition is satisfied or the number of times thatthe second condition is satisfied, and to decrease the number of timeswhen the first condition is not satisfied or when the second conditionis not satisfied.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to return the number oftimes to an initial value when the first condition is not satisfied orwhen the second condition is not satisfied.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a connecterthat allows attachment/detachment of a cartridge including the storageunit or an aerosol generating article including the aerosol basematerial and that allows detection of the attachment/detachment of thecartridge or the aerosol generating article. The control unit isconfigured to store the number of times that the first condition issatisfied or the number of times that the second condition is satisfied,and to decrease the number of times when the cartridge or the aerosolgenerating article is attached to the connecter.

In an embodiment, identification information or a usage history of thecartridge or the aerosol generating article is capable of being acquiredin a predetermined manner. The control unit is configured to determinewhether to decrease the number of times based on the identificationinformation or the usage history of the cartridge or the aerosolgenerating article that is attached to the connecter.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to store the number oftimes that the first condition is satisfied or the number of times thatthe second condition is satisfied, to determine whether the aerosolsource is insufficient in quantity based on comparison between thenumber of times and a predetermined threshold, and not to increase thenumber of times, to reduce an increase amount of the number of times orto increase the predetermined threshold when the first condition or thesecond condition is satisfied in a state in which a time-series changeof a demand for generation of aerosol does not meet a predeterminednormal change.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine whetherthe aerosol source is insufficient in quantity using a first referencebased on the first voltage value and the second voltage value and asecond reference different from the first reference, and to determinethat the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity when the firstreference is satisfied a plurality of times or when the second referenceis satisfied a smaller number of times than the plurality of times.

In an embodiment, it is more difficult to satisfy the second referencethan the first reference.

In an embodiment, the first reference is whether the second voltagevalue satisfies a first threshold while the first voltage value iscontrolled to be constant, or whether an electric resistance value ofthe load derived from the first voltage value and the second voltagevalue satisfies a second threshold. The second reference is whether thesecond voltage value satisfies a threshold greater than the firstthreshold or whether the electric resistance value of the load satisfiesa threshold greater than the second threshold.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine whetherthe second reference is satisfied before determining whether the firstreference is satisfied.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to perform at least oneof stop of supply of the electric power from the power supply to theload or notification to a user without determining whether the firstreference is satisfied when the second reference is satisfied and it isdetermined that the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a conversionunit that converts an output voltage of the power supply and outputs theconverted voltage to apply it to the entire circuit. The control unit isconfigured to control the conversion unit.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control theconversion unit to output a constant voltage when determining whetherthe aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a sensor thatoutputs the second voltage value. The control unit is configured todetermine whether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity basedon the first voltage value which is a value of the constant voltage andthe second voltage value which is output from the sensor.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine whetherthe aerosol source is insufficient in quantity based on comparisonbetween the second voltage value output from the sensor and apredetermined threshold.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a first sensorand a second sensor that output the first voltage value and the secondvoltage value, respectively. The control unit is configured to determinewhether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity based oncomparison between an electric resistance value of the load derived fromoutput values from the first sensor and the second sensor and apredetermined threshold.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a knownresistor that is connected in series with the load and has a knownelectric resistance value. The second voltage value is a value of avoltage applied to the load or the known resistor.

In an embodiment, the known resistor has an electric resistance valuehigher than an electric resistance value of the load. The aerosolgeneration device comprises a sensor that outputs the second voltagevalue based on comparison between a reference voltage and an amplifiedvoltage applied to the load.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of actuating an aerosol generation device, the methodcomprising atomizing an aerosol source using heat generated by supplyingelectric power from a power supply to a load in which an electricresistance value changes in response to a temperature, and determiningwhether the aerosol source capable of being supplied to generate aerosolis insufficient in quantity based on a first voltage value which is avalue of a voltage applied to an entire circuit that electricallyconnects the power supply and the load and a second voltage value whichis a value of a voltage applied to a portion in the circuit where thevoltage to be applied changes according to changes in temperature of theload.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an aerosol generation device comprising a power supply, astorage unit that stores an aerosol source or an aerosol base materialthat retains the aerosol source, a load that generates heat upon receiptof electric power from the power supply and atomizes the aerosol sourcesupplied from the storage unit or retained in the aerosol base materialusing the heat, and in which an electric resistance value of the loadchanges in response to a temperature, a circuit that electricallyconnects the power supply and the load, and a control unit configured toestimate a residual quantity of the aerosol source stored by the storageunit or retained in the aerosol base material based on a first voltagevalue which is a value of a voltage applied to an entire circuit and asecond voltage value which is a value of a voltage applied to a portionin the circuit where the voltage to be applied changes according tochanges in temperature of the load.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of actuating an aerosol generation device, the methodcomprising atomizing an aerosol source using heat generated by supplyingelectric power from a power supply to a load in which an electricresistance value changes in response to a temperature, and estimating aresidual quantity of the aerosol source based on a first voltage valuewhich is a value of a voltage applied to an entire circuit thatelectrically connects the power supply and the load and a second voltagevalue which is a value of a voltage applied to a portion in the circuitwhere the voltage to be applied changes according to changes intemperature of the load.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an aerosol generation device comprising a power supply, astorage unit that stores an aerosol source or an aerosol base materialthat retains the aerosol source, a load that generates heat upon receiptof electric power from the power supply and atomizes the aerosol sourcesupplied from the storage unit or retained in the aerosol base materialusing the heat, a circuit that electrically connects the power supplyand the load, and a control unit configured to determine whether theaerosol source that is capable of being supplied from the storage unitto the load or is retained in the aerosol base material is insufficientin quantity based on a first voltage value which is a value of a voltageapplied to an entire circuit and a second voltage value which is a valueof a voltage applied to a portion in the circuit, wherein the controlunit is configured to acquire the first voltage value from a memory andthe second voltage value from a sensor.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of actuating an aerosol generation device, the methodcomprising atomizing an aerosol source using heat generated by supplyingelectric power from a power supply to a load, and determining whetherthe aerosol source capable of being supplied to generate aerosol isinsufficient in quantity based on a first voltage value which is a valueof a voltage applied to an entire circuit that electrically connects thepower supply and the load and a second voltage value which is a value ofa voltage applied to a portion in the circuit, wherein the first voltagevalue is acquired from a memory and the second voltage value is acquiredfrom a sensor.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an aerosol generation device comprising a power supply, astorage unit that stores an aerosol source or an aerosol base materialthat retains the aerosol source, a load that generates heat upon receiptof electric power from the power supply and atomizes the aerosol sourceusing the heat, a circuit that electrically connects the power supplyand the load, and a control unit configured to estimate a residualquantity of the aerosol source stored by the storage unit or retained inthe aerosol base material based on a first voltage value which is avalue of a voltage applied to an entire circuit and a second voltagevalue which is a value of a voltage applied to a portion in the circuit,wherein the control unit is configured to acquire the first voltagevalue from a memory and the second voltage value from a sensor.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of actuating an aerosol generation device, the methodcomprising atomizing an aerosol source using heat generated by supplyingelectric power from a power supply to a load, and estimating a residualquantity of the aerosol source based on a first voltage value which is avalue of a voltage applied to an entire circuit that electricallyconnects the power supply and the load and a second voltage value whichis a value of a voltage applied to a portion in the circuit, wherein thefirst voltage value is acquired from a memory and the second voltagevalue is acquired from a sensor.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a program for, when being executed by a processor, causing theprocessor to perform any of the above-described methods.

In order to solve the second problem described above, according to asecond embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided anaerosol generation device comprising a power supply, a load thatgenerates heat upon receipt of electric power from the power supply andatomizes an aerosol source using the heat, and in which an electricresistance value of the load changes in response to a temperature, afirst circuit used to cause the load to atomize the aerosol source, asecond circuit used to detect a voltage that changes according tochanges in temperature of the load, connected to the first circuit inparallel, and having an electric resistance value higher than anelectric resistance value of the first circuit, an acquisition unit thatacquires a value of a voltage applied to the second circuit and theload, and a sensor that outputs a value of the voltage that changesaccording to the changes in the temperature of the load.

In an embodiment, the second circuit comprises a known resistor that isconnected in series with the load and has a known electric resistancevalue. The sensor outputs a value of a voltage applied to the load orthe known resistor as the value of the voltage that changes according tochanges in temperature of the load.

In an embodiment, the known resistor has an electric resistance valuehigher than an electric resistance value of the load, and the sensoroutputs the value of the voltage applied to the load.

In an embodiment, the value of the voltage that changes according to thechanges in the temperature of the load is obtained based on comparisonbetween a value of a reference voltage and a value of an amplifiedvoltage applied to the load.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a conversionunit that converts an output voltage of the power supply and outputs theconverted voltage to apply it to the second circuit and the load. Theacquisition unit acquires a target value of an output voltage of theconversion unit while a current flows through the second circuit.

In an embodiment, the conversion unit is connected between a highervoltage node of nodes to Which the first circuit and the second circuitare connected and the power supply.

In an embodiment, the conversion unit is a switching regulator that iscapable of decreasing and outputting an input voltage.

In an embodiment, a storage unit that stores the aerosol source and theload are included in a cartridge that is attachable/detachable to/fromthe aerosol generation device, via a connecter. The sensor is notincluded in the cartridge.

In an embodiment, the second circuit comprises a known resistor that isconnected in series with the load and has a known electric resistancevalue. A storage unit that stores the aerosol source and the load areincluded in a cartridge that is attachable/detachable to/from theaerosol generation device, via a connecter. The sensor outputs a valueof a voltage applied to the load and the connecter as the value of thevoltage that changes according to the changes in the temperature of theload.

In an embodiment, an aerosol base material that retains the aerosolsource is included in an aerosol generating article that isinsertable/extractable into/from the aerosol generation device. Thesensor is not included in the aerosol generating article.

In an embodiment, the known resistor has such an electric resistancevalue that a current having magnitude that allows distinguishing betweena state in which the current flows through the second circuit and astate in which no current flows through the second circuit flows throughthe second circuit.

In an embodiment, the known resistor has such an electric resistancevalue that the current having the magnitude that allows distinguishingbetween the state in which the current flows through the second circuitand a state in which no current flows through the second circuit flowsthrough the second circuit in a case where a voltage of the power supplyis a discharge termination voltage.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a conversionunit that converts an output voltage of the power supply and outputs theconverted voltage to apply it to the second circuit and the load. Theknown resistor has such an electric resistance value that the currenthaving magnitude that allows distinguishing between the state in whichthe current flows through the second circuit and the state in which nocurrent flows through the second circuit flows through the secondcircuit in a case where an output voltage of the conversion unit isapplied to the second circuit and the load.

In an embodiment, the known resistor has such an electric resistancevalue that the current having the magnitude that allows distinguishingbetween the state in which the current flows through the second circuitand the state in which no current flows through the second circuit flowsthrough the second circuit in a case where the temperature of the loadis an achievable temperature only when the aerosol source isinsufficient in quantity.

In an embodiment, the known resistor has such an electric resistancevalue that only electric power required for heat retention of the loadis supplied to the load while a current flows through the secondcircuit.

In an embodiment, the known resistor has such an electric resistancevalue that the load does not generate aerosol while a current flowsthrough the second circuit.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a first switchthat connects and disconnects electrical conduction of the firstcircuit, a second switch that connects and disconnects the electricalconduction of the second circuit, and a control unit configured tocontrol switching of the first switch and the second switch so that anon time of the first switch is longer than an on time of the secondswitch.

In an embodiment, the on time of the second switch is a minimum timeperiod that is achievable by the control unit.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of manufacturing an aerosol generation device, themethod comprising arranging a power supply, atomizing an aerosol sourceusing heat generated by supplying electric power from the power supplyand arranging a load in which an electric resistance value changes inresponse to a temperature, forming a first circuit used to cause theload to atomize the aerosol source, forming a second circuit used todetect a voltage that changes according to changes in temperature of theload, connected to the first circuit in parallel, and having an electricresistance value higher than an electric resistance value of the firstcircuit, arranging an acquisition unit that acquires a value of avoltage applied to the second circuit and the load, and arranging asensor that outputs a value of the voltage that changes according to thechanges in the temperature of the load.

In order to solve the third problem described above, according to athird embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosolgeneration device comprising a power supply, a load that generates heatupon receipt of electric power from the power supply and atomizes anaerosol source using the heat, and has a temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic in which an electric resistance value of the load changesin response to a temperature, a memory that stores thetemperature-resistance value characteristic, a sensor that outputs avalue related to a resistance value of the load, and a control unitconfigured to calibrate the stored temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic based on correspondence between an output value of thesensor and an estimate of a temperature of the load corresponding to theoutput value.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to calibrate the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic based on correspondencebetween the output value of the sensor before the load generates aerosoland a room temperature.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to calibrate the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic based on the correspondencebetween the output value of the sensor before the load generates theaerosol and the room temperature, when a predetermined condition bywhich it is determined that the temperature of the load is the roomtemperature is established.

In an embodiment, the predetermined condition is that a predeterminedperiod of time has elapsed since previous aerosol generation.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a cartridgethat includes the load and a storage unit that stores the aerosol sourceor an aerosol generating article that includes the load and an aerosolbase material that retains the aerosol source, and a connecter thatallows attachment/detachment of the cartridge or insertion/extraction ofthe aerosol generating article. The predetermined condition is that apredetermined period of time has elapsed since the attachment of thecartridge to the connecter or the insertion of the aerosol generatingarticle into the connecter.

In an embodiment, the sensor is configured to output any one of atemperature of the power supply, a temperature of the control unit, atemperature inside the aerosol generation device and an ambienttemperature of the aerosol generation device. The predeterminedcondition may be that a temperature output by the sensor becomes theroom temperature or an absolute value of a difference between thetemperature output by the sensor and the room temperature is equal to orless than a predetermined threshold.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control supply ofelectric power from the power supply to the load, and to control theload not to generate the aerosol until the output value of the sensor isassociated with an estimate of a temperature corresponding to the outputvalue, when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control to supplypredetermined electric power from the power supply to the load, thepredetermined electric power being smaller than electric power requiredto increase the temperature of the load to a temperature at which theload is capable of generating the aerosol, and to calibrate thetemperature-resistance value characteristic based on the output value ofthe sensor while the predetermined electric power is supplied to theload.

In an embodiment, the predetermined electric power is electric powerthat does not cause the temperature of the load to increase overresolution of the sensor.

In an embodiment, the predetermined electric power is electric powerthat does not cause the temperature of the load to increase.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control supply ofelectric power from the power supply to the load, and to calibrate thestored temperature-resistance value characteristic based oncorrespondence between the output value of the sensor when electricpower sufficient for aerosol generation is supplied to the load and atemperature causing the aerosol generation.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured not to calibrate thestored temperature-resistance value characteristic when the output valueof the sensor when the electric power sufficient for the aerosolgeneration is supplied to the load is equal to or higher than athreshold or when a change amount in the output value of the sensor whenpredetermined electric power is supplied to the load is equal to orhigher than a threshold.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control supply ofelectric power from the power supply to the load, and to calibrate thestored temperature-resistance value characteristic based oncorrespondence between the output value of the sensor when electricpower sufficient for aerosol generation is supplied to the load and isin a steady state at a value other than a room temperature, and atemperature causing the aerosol generation.

In an embodiment, a temperature and the electric resistance value of theload are in a proportional relationship, and the control unit isconfigured to calibrate an intercept of the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic.

In an embodiment, a temperature and the electric resistance value of theload are in a proportional relationship. The aerosol generation devicecomprises a database that stores the electric resistance value of theload and one of an inclination and an intercept of thetemperature-resistance value characteristic, for each type of the load.The control unit is configured to calibrate the one of the inclinationand the intercept of the temperature-resistance value characteristicbased on the output value of the sensor and the database, and tocalibrate the other of the inclination and the intercept of thetemperature-resistance value characteristic based on the output value ofthe sensor and the calibrated one of the inclination and the interceptof the temperature-resistance value characteristic.

In an embodiment, the database stores the electric resistance value ofthe load at a room temperature or a temperature at which aerosol isgenerated and the other of the inclination and an intercept of thetemperature-resistance value characteristic, for each type of the load.

In an embodiment, a temperature and the electric resistance value of theload are in a proportional relationship. The control unit is configuredto calibrate an inclination and an intercept of the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic based on the correspondencebetween the output value of the sensor and an estimate of thetemperature of the load corresponding to the output value, andinformation about the load and a cartridge including the load.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to acquire theinformation about the load or the cartridge from at least one ofcommunication with an external terminal, identification information ofthe load, identification information of the cartridge or a package ofthe cartridge, and a user input.

In an embodiment, a temperature and an electric resistance value of theload are in a proportional relationship. The control unit is configuredto calibrate an inclination and an intercept of the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic based on correspondencebetween the output value of the sensor before the load generates aerosoland a room temperature and correspondence between the output value ofthe sensor when electric power sufficient for aerosol generation issupplied to the load and a temperature causing the aerosol generation.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured not to calibrate thestored temperature-resistance value characteristic when the output valueof the sensor when the electric power sufficient for the aerosolgeneration is supplied to the load is equal to or higher than athreshold or when a change amount in the output value of the sensor whenpredetermined electric power is supplied to the load is equal to orhigher than the threshold.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a cartridgethat includes the load and a storage unit that stores the aerosol sourceor an aerosol generating article that includes the load and an aerosolbase material that retains the aerosol source, and a connecter thatallows attachment/detachment of the cartridge or insertion/extraction ofthe aerosol generating article. The control unit is configured tocalibrate the stored temperature-resistance value characteristic onlywhen detecting the detachment of the cartridge from the connecter or theextraction of the aerosol generating article from the connecter.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine whether toperform a calibration based on a predetermined condition, prior to thecalibration of the stored temperature-resistance value characteristic.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a cartridgethat includes the load and a storage unit that stores the aerosol sourceor an aerosol generating article that includes the load and an aerosolbase material that retains the aerosol source, and a connecter thatallows attachment/detachment of the cartridge or insertion/extraction ofthe aerosol generating article. The control unit is configured to storea resistance value of the cartridge detached from the connecter or aresistance value of the aerosol generating article extracted from theconnecter. The predetermined condition is that the resistance valuestored by the control unit is different from the resistance value of thecartridge newly attached to the connecter or the resistance value of theaerosol generating article newly inserted into the connecter.

In an embodiment, the predetermined condition is that a rate of changein the resistance value of the cartridge attached to the connecter or arate of change in the resistance value of the aerosol generating articleinserted into the connecter is lower than a predetermined thresholdwhile power supply to the load is continued.

In an embodiment, the predetermined condition is that from thecorrespondence between the output value of the sensor and an estimate ofthe temperature of the load corresponding to the output value, it isdetermined that the temperature of the load is estimated smaller than anactual value if the stored temperature-resistance value characteristicis not calibrated.

In an embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the output valueof the sensor is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a cartridgethat includes the load and a storage unit that stores the aerosol sourceor an aerosol generating article that includes the load and an aerosolbase material that retains the aerosol source, and a connecter thatallows attachment/detachment of the cartridge or insertion/extraction ofthe aerosol generating article. The sensor is not included in thecartridge or the aerosol generating article. The control unit isconfigured to calibrate the stored temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic based on correspondence between a value obtained bysubtracting a predetermined value from the output value of the sensorand the estimate of the temperature of the load corresponding to theoutput value.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a firstcircuit used to cause the load to atomize the aerosol source, and asecond circuit used to detect a value related to a resistance value ofthe load, connected to the first circuit in parallel, and having anelectric resistance value higher than an electric resistance value ofthe first circuit.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a circuit thatelectrically connects the power supply and the load. The sensor outputsat least a value of a voltage applied to a portion in the circuit wherethe voltage to be applied changes according to changes in thetemperature of the load. The control unit is configured to derive theelectric resistance value of the load based on a value of a voltageapplied to an entire circuit and the output value of the sensor.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generation device comprises a conversionunit that converts an output voltage of the power supply and outputs theconverted voltage to apply it to the entire circuit. The control unit isconfigured to control the conversion unit to apply a constant voltage tothe entire circuit to derive the electric resistance value of the load,

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of actuating an aerosol generation device, the methodcomprising atomizing an aerosol source using heat generated by supplyingelectric power to a load having a temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic in which an electric resistance value of the load changesin response to a temperature, and calibrating the temperature-resistancevalue characteristic stored in a memory based on correspondence betweenan output value of a sensor that outputs a value related to a resistancevalue of the load and an estimate of a temperature of the loadcorresponding to the output value.

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an aerosol generation device comprises a power supply, a loadthat generates heat upon receipt of electric power from the power supplyand atomizes an aerosol source using the heat, and has atemperature-resistance value characteristic in which an electricresistance value of the load changes in response to a temperature, amemory that stores the temperature-resistance value characteristic, asensor that outputs a value related to a resistance value of the load,and a control unit configured to perform a predetermined control basedon the temperature-resistance value characteristic, wherein the controlunit is configured to calibrate a value related to the predeterminedcontrol based on correspondence between an output value of the sensorand an estimate of a temperature of the load corresponding to the outputvalue.

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of actuating an aerosol generation device, the methodcomprising atomizing an aerosol source using heat generated by supplyingelectric power to a load having a temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic in which an electric resistance value of the load changesin response to a temperature, performing a predetermined control basedon the temperature-resistance value characteristic, and calibrating avalue related to the predetermined control based on correspondencebetween an output value of a sensor that output a value related to aresistance value of the load and an estimate of a temperature of theload corresponding to the output value.

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a program for, when being executed by a processor, causing theprocessor to perform any of the above-described methods.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there canbe provided an aerosol generation device with a smaller number ofcomponents to be required and with high detection accuracy with respectto insufficiency of an aerosol source, and a method and a program foractuating the same.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there canbe provided an aerosol generation device that suppresses an influence ofproduct errors of components on detection accuracy with respect toinsufficiency of an aerosol source.

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, there canbe provided an aerosol generation device that can detect insufficiencyof an aerosol source with higher accuracy after a cartridge is replaced,and a method and a program for actuating the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of an aerosolgeneration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of an aerosolgeneration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary circuit configuration of aportion of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of determining whether anaerosol source is insufficient in quantity, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of determining whether theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of determining whether theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of exemplary processing performed when a user'sinhalation pattern is an unexpected pattern, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration for obtaining avalue of a voltage that changes according to changes in temperature of aload, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of detecting insufficiencyof the aerosol source.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between anelectric resistance value and a temperature of each of the loads made ofthe same metal.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing that a temperature threshold for determiningthat the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity may become too highdue to a manufacturing variation of the load 132.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing an example of the temperature-resistancevalue characteristic of each of different loads that are made ofdifferent metals.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of thepresent disclosure include an electronic cigarette, a heated cigarette,and a nebulizer, but are not limited to the electronic cigarette, theheated cigarette, and the nebulizer. The embodiments of the presentdisclosure can include various aerosol generation devices for generatingaerosol to be inhaled by a user.

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of an aerosolgeneration device 100A according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. It should be noted that FIG. 1A schematically andconceptually illustrates components included in the aerosol generationdevice 100A and does not illustrate strict disposition, shapes,dimensions, positional relations, and the like of the components and theaerosol generation device 100A.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the aerosol generation device 100A includes afirst member 102 (hereinafter, referred to as a “main body 102”) and asecond member 104A (hereinafter, referred to as a “cartridge 104A”). Asillustrated in the figure, as an example, the main body 102 may includea control unit 106, a notifying unit 108, a power supply 110, a sensor112, and a memory 114. The aerosol generation device 100A may includesensors such as a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, and a voltage sensor,and these sensors are collectively referred to as the “sensor 112” inthe present disclosure. The main body 102 may also include a circuit 134described later. As an example, the cartridge 104A may include a storageunit 116A, an atomizing unit 118A, an air intake channel 120, an aerosolflow path 121, a mouthpiece unit 122, a retention unit 130, and a load132. Some of the components included in the main body 102 may beincluded in the cartridge 104A. Some of the components included in thecartridge 104A may be included in the main body 102. The cartridge 104Amay be configured to be detachably attached to the main body 102.Alternatively, all the components included in the main body 102 and thecartridge 104A may be included in the same housing instead of the mainbody 102 and the cartridge 104A.

The storage unit 116A may be configured as a tank that stores theaerosol source. In this case, the aerosol source is liquid, for example,polyalcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. When theaerosol generation device 100A is an electronic cigarette, the aerosolsource in the storage unit 116A may include a tobacco raw material thatemits an inhaling flavor component by being heated or an extractderiving from the tobacco raw material. The retention unit 130 retainsthe aerosol source. For example, the retention unit 130 is formed of afibrous or porous material, and retains the aerosol source, which isliquid, in gaps among fibers or thin holes of a porous material. Forexample, cotton, glass fiber, a tobacco raw material or the like can beused as the above-mentioned fibrous or porous material. When the aerosolgeneration device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, theaerosol source may also include a drug to be inhaled by a patient. Asanother example, the storage unit 116A may have a configuration in whicha consumed aerosol source can be replenished. Alternatively, the storageunit 116A itself may be configured to be replaceable when the aerosolsource is consumed. The aerosol source is not limited to liquid, and maybe solid. When the aerosol source is solid, the storage unit 116A may bea hollow container.

The atomizing unit 118A is configured to atomize the aerosol source andgenerate aerosol. When an inhaling operation is detected by the sensor112, the atomizing unit 118A generates the aerosol. For example, theinhaling operation may be detected by the flow sensor or a flow ratesensor. In this case, if an absolute value or an amount of change of aflow rate or a flow velocity of air in the air intake channel 120satisfies a predetermined condition, the air being generated in the airintake channel 120 when the user holds the mouthpiece unit 112 in theuser's mouth and performs the inhalation, the flow sensor or the flowrate sensor may detect the inhaling operation. Alternatively, forexample, the inhaling operation may be detected by the pressure sensor.In this case, if a predetermined condition is satisfied such as thepressure inside the air intake channel 120 becomes negative when theuser holds the mouthpiece unit 112 in the user's mouth and performs theinhalation, the pressure sensor may detect the inhaling operation. Notethat the flow sensor, the flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor maybe configured to only output a flow rate, a flow velocity, and apressure in the air intake channel 120, respectively, so that thecontrol unit 106 detects the inhaling operation based on the output.

Alternatively, the atomizing unit 118A may generate the aerosol or theatomizing unit 1184 may receive the electric power from the power supply110 with the use of, for example, a push button, a touch panel, or anacceleration sensor, so that it is unnecessary to detect the inhalingoperation or wait detection of the inhaling operation. Such aconfiguration enables the atomizing unit 118A to appropriately generatethe aerosol at a. timing when the user actually inhales the aerosol evenwhen the thermal capacity of the retention unit 130 and the load 132that form the atomizing unit 118A or the thermal capacity of the aerosolsource itself is large, for example. Note that the sensor 112 mayinclude a sensor that detects the operation on the push button or thetouch panel, or the acceleration sensor.

For example, the retention unit 130 is provided to couple the storageunit 116A and the atomizing unit 118A. In this case, a part of theretention unit 130 communicates with the inside of the storage unit 116Aand is in contact with the aerosol source. Another part of the retentionunit 130 extends to the atomizing unit 118A. Note that the other part ofthe retention unit 130 extending to the atomizing unit 118A may beaccommodated in the atomizing unit 118, or may communicate with theinside of the storage unit 116A again through the atomizing unit 118A.The aerosol source is carried from the storage unit 116A to theatomizing unit 118A by a capillary effect of the retention unit 130. Asan example, the atomizing unit 118A includes a heater including the load132 that is electrically connected to the power supply 110. The heateris disposed in contact with or in close contact with the retention unit130. When an inhaling operation is detected, the control unit 106controls the heater of the atomizing unit 118A or the power supply tothe heater, and heats the aerosol source carried through the retentionunit 130 to thereby atomize the aerosol source. Another example of theatomizing unit 118A may be an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes theaerosol source by ultrasonic vibration. The air intake channel 120 isconnected to the atomizing unit 118A, and communicates with the outsideof the aerosol generation device 100A. The aerosol generated in theatomizing unit 118A is mixed with air taken in via the air intakechannel 120. Mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air is delivered to theaerosol flow path 121 as indicated by an arrow 124. The aerosol flowpath 121 has a tubular structure for transporting, to the mouthpieceunit 122, the mixed fluid of the aerosol generated in the atomizing unit118A and the air.

The mouthpiece unit 122 is located at a terminal end of the aerosol flowpath 121, and is configured to open the aerosol flow path 121 to theoutside of the aerosol generation device 100A. The user holds themouthpiece unit 122 in the user's mouth and performs the inhalation tothereby take the air containing the aerosol in the user's mouth.

The notifying unit 108 may include a light emitting element such as anLED, a display, a speaker, a vibrator, or the like. The notifying unit108 is configured to perform some notification to the user with lightemission, display, sound production, vibration, or the like according tonecessity.

The power supply 110 supplies electric power to the components such asthe notifying unit 108, the sensor 112, the memory 114, the load 132,and the circuit 134 of the aerosol generation device 110A. The powersupply 110 can also be charged by being connected to an external powersupply via a predetermined port (not illustrated) of the aerosolgeneration device 100A. Only the power supply 110 may be detachable fromthe main body 102 or the aerosol generation device 100A, or may bereplaceable with a new power supply 110. The power supply 110 may bereplaceable with a new power supply 110 by replacing the entire mainbody 102 with a main body 102.

The sensor 112 may also include one or more sensors that are used toacquire a value of a voltage applied to all or a specific portion in thecircuit 134, a value related to a resistance value of the load 132, avalue related to a temperature of the load 132. The sensor 112 may beincorporated in the circuit 134, or the like. The function of the sensor112 may be incorporated in the control unit 106. The sensor 112 may alsoinclude the pressure sensor that detects fluctuation in pressure in theair intake channel 120 and/or the aerosol flow path 121 or the flowsensor that detects a flow rate in the air intake channel 120 and/or theaerosol flow path 121. The sensor 112 may also include a weight sensorthat detects a weight of a component such as the storage unit 116A. Thesensor 112 may be also configured to count the number of times that theuser puffs using the aerosol generation device 100A. The sensor 112 maybe also configured to integrate an energization time to the atomizingunit 118A. The sensor 112 may be also configured to detect a height of aliquid surface in the storage unit 116A. The control unit 106 and thesensor 112 may be also configured to obtain or detect an SOC (State ofCharge), a current integrated value, a voltage and the like of the powersupply 110. The SOC may be obtained by a current integration method(coulomb counting method), an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) method, orthe like. The sensor 112 may be also an operation button or the likethat is operable by the user.

The control unit 106 may be an electronic circuit module configured as amicroprocessor or a microcomputer. The control unit 106 may be alsoconfigured to control the operation of the aerosol generation device100A according to computer executable instructions stored in the memory114. The memory 114 is a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, or a flashmemory. In the memory 114, in addition to the above-mentioned computerexecutable instructions, setting data required for controlling theaerosol generation device 100A and the like may be stored. For example,the memory 114 may store various pieces of data such as a controlprogram of the notifying unit 108 (aspects, etc. of light emission,sound production, vibration, etc.), a control program of the atomizingunit 118A, a value acquired and/or detected by the sensor 112, and aheating history of the atomizing unit 118A. The control unit 106 readsthe data from the memory 114 according to necessity to use it forcontrol of the aerosol generation device 100A, and stores the data inthe memory 114 according to necessity.

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of an aerosolgeneration device 100B according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

As illustrated in the figure, the aerosol generation device 100B has aconfiguration similar to that of the aerosol generation device 1004 ofFIG. 1A. Note that a configuration of a second member 104B (hereinafter,referred to as an “aerosol generating article 104B” or a “stick 104B”)is different from that of the first member 104A. As an example, theaerosol generating article 104B may include an aerosol base material116B, an atomizing unit 118B, an air intake channel 120, an aerosol flowpath 121. and a mouthpiece unit 122. Some of the components included inthe main body 102 may be included in the aerosol generating article104B. Some of the components included in the aerosol generating article104B may be included in the main body 102. The aerosol generatingarticle 104B may be configured to be insertable/extractable into/fromthe main body 102. Alternatively, all the components included in themain body 102 and the aerosol generating article 104B may be included inthe same housing instead of the main body 102 and the aerosol generatingarticle 104B.

The aerosol base material 116B may be configured as a solid carrying theaerosol source. As in the case of the storage unit 116A in FIG. 1A, theaerosol source may be liquid, for example, polyalcohol such as glycerinor propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source in the aerosol basematerial 116B may include a tobacco raw material that emits an inhalingflavor component by being heated or an extract deriving from the tobaccoraw material. When the aerosol generation device 100A is a medicalinhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also include a drugto be inhaled by a patient. The aerosol base material 116B itself may beconfigured to be replaceable when the aerosol source is consumed. Theaerosol source is not limited to liquid, and may be a solid.

The atomizing unit 118B is configured to atomize the aerosol source andgenerate aerosol. When an inhaling operation is detected by the sensor112, the atomizing unit 118B generates the aerosol. The atomizing unit118B includes a heater (not illustrated) including a load that iselectrically connected to the power supply 110. When an inhalingoperation is detected, the control unit 106 controls the heater of theatomizing unit 118B or the power supply to the heater, and heats theaerosol source carried in the aerosol base material 116B to therebyatomize the aerosol source. Another example of the atomizing unit 118Bmay be an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes the aerosol source byultrasonic vibration. The air intake channel 120 is connected to theatomizing unit 118B, and communicates with the outside of the aerosolgeneration device 100B. The aerosol generated in the atomizing unit 118Bis mixed with air taken in via the air intake channel 120. Mixed fluidof the aerosol and the air is delivered to the aerosol flow path 121 asindicated by an arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubularstructure for transporting, to the mouthpiece unit 122, the mixed fluidof the aerosol generated in the atomizing unit 118B and the air. Notethat in the aerosol generation device 100B, the aerosol generatingarticle 104B is configured to be heated from the inside by the atomizingunit 118B that is located in the aerosol generating article 104B or isinserted into the inside of the aerosol generating article 104B.Alternatively, the aerosol generating article 104B may be alsoconfigured to be heated from the outside by the atomizing unit 118Bconfigured to surround or accommodate the aerosol generating article104B.

The control unit 106 is configured to control the aerosol generationdevices 100A and 100B (hereinafter also generically referred to as an“aerosol generation device 100”) according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure in various methods.

In the aerosol generation device, if the user performs the inhalationwhen the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, a sufficientquantity of aerosol cannot be supplied to the user. In addition, in thecase of the electronic cigarette or the heated cigarette, the aerosolhaving an unintended inhaling flavor may be emitted (hereinafter, such aphenomenon is also referred to as “unintended behavior”). The unintendedbehavior may occur not only when the aerosol source in the storage unit116A or the aerosol base material 116B is insufficient in quantity, butalso when a sufficient quantity of aerosol source remains in the storageunit 116A but the aerosol source in the retention unit 130 istemporarily insufficient in quantity. The present inventors haveinvented an aerosol generation device that performs an appropriatecontrol when an aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, and a methodand a program for actuating the same. Hereinafter, each embodiment ofthe present disclosure will be described in detail, while mainlyassuming the case where the aerosol generation device has aconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 1A. However, the case where theaerosol generation device has a configuration illustrated in FIG. 1B isalso described according to necessity. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the embodiment of the present disclosure is alsoapplicable to the case where the aerosol generation device has variousconfigurations other than those illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

First Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary circuit configuration of aportion of the aerosol generation device 100A according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

A circuit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes the power supply 110, thecontrol unit 106, the sensors 112A to 112D (hereinafter alsocollectively referred to as the “sensor 112”), the load 132 (hereinafteralso referred to as a “heater resistor”), a first circuit 202, a secondcircuit 204, a switch Q1 including a first field emission transistor(FET) 206, a conversion unit 208, a switch Q2 including a second FET210, and a resistor 212 (hereinafter, also referred to as a “shuntresistor”). Note that the sensor 112 may be embedded in the othercomponent such as the control unit 106 or the conversion unit 208. Theelectric resistance value of the load 132 changes in response to thetemperature by using, for example, a positive temperature coefficient(PTC) heater or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) heater. Theshunt resistor 212 is connected in series with the load 132, and has aknown electric resistance value. The electric resistance value of theshunt resistor 212 may be substantially invariant to the temperature.The shunt resistor has an electric resistance value larger than that ofthe load 132. Depending on the embodiment, the sensors 112C and 112D maybe omitted. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that notonly FET but also various elements such as iGBT and a contactor can beused as the switches Q1 and Q2.

The conversion unit 208 may be, for example, a switching converter, andmay include a FET 214, a diode 216, an inductance 218, and a capacitor220. The control unit 106 may control the conversion unit 208 so thatthe conversion unit 208 converts an output voltage of the power supply110 to apply the converted output voltage to the entire circuit. Insteadof a step-down type switching converter illustrated in FIG. 2, a step-uptype switching converter, a step-up/step-down type switching converter,a linear dropout (LDO) regulator, or the like may be used. Note that theconversion unit 208 is not an essential component, and can be omitted.Furthermore, a control unit (not illustrated) provided separately fromthe control unit 106 may be configured to control the conversion unit208. This not-illustrated control unit may be embedded in the conversionunit 208.

The circuit 134 illustrated in Fig. IA may be electrically connected tothe power supply 110 and the load 132, and may include the first circuit202 and the second circuit 204. The first circuit 202 and the secondcircuit 204 are connected in parallel to the power supply 110 and theload 132. The first circuit 202 may include the switch Q1. The secondcircuit 204 may include the switch Q2 and the resistor 212 (andoptionally the sensor 112D). The first circuit 202 may have a resistancevalue smaller than that of the second circuit 204. In this example, thesensors 112B and 112D are voltage sensors, and are configured to detecta voltage value across the load 132 and a voltage value across theresistor 212, respectively. However, a configuration of the sensor 112is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor 112 may be a currentsensor using a known resistor or a hall element, and may detect a valueof a current flowing through the load 132 and/or the resistor 212.

As indicated by dotted-line arrows in FIG. 2, the control unit 106 cancontrol the switch Q1, the switch Q2, and the like, and can acquire avalue detected by the sensor 112. The control unit 106 may be configuredto switch the switch Q1 from an off state to an on state to cause thefirst circuit 202 to function and configured to switch the switch Q2from the off state to the on state to cause the second circuit 204 tofunction. The control unit 106 may be configured to alternately switchthe switches Q1 and Q2 to alternately cause the first circuit 202 andthe second circuit 204 to function.

The first circuit 202 is used to atomize the aerosol source. When theswitch Q1 is switched to the on state to cause the first circuit 202 tofunction, the electric power is supplied to the heater (or the load 132in the heater), and the load 132 is heated. The aerosol source retainedin the retention unit 130 in the atomizing unit 118A (in the case of theaerosol generation device 100B of FIG. 1B, the aerosol source carried inthe aerosol base material 116B) is atomized through heating by the load132, whereby the aerosol is generated.

The second circuit 204 is used to acquire a value of a voltage appliedto the load 132, a value related to a resistance value of the load 132,a value of a voltage applied to the resistor 212, and the like. As anexample, it is assumed that the sensors 112B and 112D are voltagesensors as illustrated in FIG. 2. When the switch Q2 is on and thesecond circuit 204 is functioning, the current flows through the switchQ2, the resistor 212, and the load 132. A value of the voltage appliedto the load 132 and/or a value of the voltage applied to the resistor212 can be obtained by the sensors 112B and 112D. In addition, a valueof a current flowing the load 132 can be obtained using the value of thevoltage applied to the resistor 212 that has been acquired by the sensor112D and a known resistance value of the resistor 212. Since a totalvalue of the resistance values of the resistor 212 and the load 132 canbe obtained based on an output voltage V_(out) of the conversion unit208 and the obtained current value, a resistance value R_(HTR) of theload 132 can be obtained by subtracting the known resistance valueR_(shunt) from the total value. When the load 132 has a positive ornegative temperature coefficient characteristic in which the resistancevalue changes in response to the temperature, the temperature of theload 132 can be estimated based on a relationship between the pre-knownresistance value of the load 132 and the temperature of the load 132,and the resistance value R_(HTR) of the load 132 that is obtained asdescribed above. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe resistance value and the temperature of the load 132 can beestimated using a value of the current flowing through the resistor 212.The value related to the resistance value of the load 132 in thisexample may include a voltage value, a current value and the like of theload 132. A specific example of the sensors 112B and 112D is not limitedto the voltage sensor, and may include the other elements such as acurrent sensor (for example, a hall element).

The sensor 112A detects an output voltage during discharging or in ano-load state of the power supply 110. The sensor 112C detects an outputvoltage of the conversion unit 208. Alternatively, the output voltage ofthe conversion unit 208 may be a predetermined target voltage. Thesevoltages are voltages applied to the entire circuit.

The resistance value R_(HTR) of the load 132 when the temperature of theload 132 is “T_(HTR)” can be expressed as follows.

R _(HTR)(T _(HTR))=(V _(HTR) ×R _(shunt))/(V _(Batt) −V _(HTR))

Where V_(Batt) is a voltage applied to the entire circuit. When theconversion unit 208 is not used, “V_(Batt)” is an output voltage of thepower supply 110. When the conversion unit 208 is used, “V_(Batt)”corresponds to the target voltage of the conversion unit 208. “V_(HTR)”is a voltage applied to the heater. Instead of “V_(HTR),” the voltageapplied to the shunt resistor 212 may be used.

As described below, according to the present embodiment, the controlunit 106 can determine whether the aerosol source that can be suppliedfrom the storage unit 116A (or the aerosol source carried in the aerosolbase material 116B) is insufficient in quantity based on a value(hereinafter also referred to as a “first voltage value”) of a voltage(an output voltage of the power supply 110 or a target voltage of theconversion unit 208) applied to the entire circuit and a value(hereinafter also referred to as a “second voltage value”) of a voltage(a voltage applied to the load 132 or the shunt resistor 212) applied toa portion in the circuit where the voltage to be applied changesaccording to changes in temperature of the load 132. According to thepresent embodiment, it becomes possible to determine whether the aerosolsource is insufficient in quantity only by adding a minimal sensor tothe configuration of the conventional aerosol generation device. Inparticular, when the conversion unit 208 is used, a parameter to beacquired from the sensor 112 in the above-described expression forobtaining the resistance value R_(HTR) of the load 132 is only a voltageapplied to the heater or a voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212,and therefore it is only necessary to store other values as constants inthe memory 114. Accordingly, the influence of errors of the sensor 112on the resistance value R_(HTR) of the load 132 can be reduced tominimum, thereby significantly improving the accuracy of determiningwhether the unintended behavior has occurred.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of determining whether theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. Here, all the steps will be described asbeing performed by the control unit 106. However, it should be notedthat some of the steps may be performed by another component in theaerosol generation device 100.

The process starts at step 302. In step 302, the control unit 106determines whether the user's inhalation has been detected, based on theinformation obtained from the pressure sensor, the flow sensor, and thelike. For example, when the output values of these sensors continuouslychange, the control unit 106 may determine that the user's inhalationhas been detected. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may determinethat the user's inhalation has been detected, based on a fact that abutton for starting the generation of the aerosol has been pressed, etc.

When the inhalation is not detected (“N” in step 302), the process ofstep 302 is repeated.

When it is determined that the inhalation has been detected (“Y” in step302), the process proceeds to step 304. In step 304, the control unit106 determines whether a present count value is equal to or greater thana predetermined count threshold (for example, 3). Here, the count valueindicates the number of times that a first condition (or a secondcondition) detected in step 314 described later is satisfied. The countvalue may be stored in the memory 114.

When the count value is equal to or greater than the count threshold(“Y” in step 304), the process proceeds to step 306. In step 306, thecontrol unit 106 determines that the aerosol source that can be suppliedfrom the storage unit 116A (or the aerosol source carried in the aerosolbase material 116B) is insufficient in quantity. The process proceeds tostep 308, and the control unit 106 performs a control to notify the userof the abnormality (insufficiency of the aerosol source). For example,the control unit 106 may cause the notifying unit 108 to perform theoperation such as light emission, display, sound production, orvibration to notify the user of the abnormality. After step 308, theprocess ends. In this case, in order to generate the aerosol again usingthe aerosol generation device 100, it is necessary to replace thecartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104B, to refill thestorage unit 116A or the aerosol base material 116B with the aerosolsource, or the like.

When the count value is lower than the count threshold (“N” in step304), the process proceeds to step 310. In step 310, the control unit106 switches the switch Q1 to the on state, and causes the first circuit202 to function. As a result, the electric power is supplied to the load132, and the aerosol source is atomized, whereby the aerosol isgenerated.

The process proceeds to step 312. The control unit 106 switches theswitch Q1 to the off state, and switches the switch Q2 to the on state.Accordingly, the second circuit 204 functions. The control unit 106measures, using the sensor 112B, a value of the voltage applied to theload 132. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may measure, using thesensor 112D, a value of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212.Since the electric resistance value of the load 132 changes in responseto the temperature, the voltage applied to the load 132 and the voltageapplied to the shunt resistor 212 change when the temperature of theload 132 changes.

The process proceeds to step 314, and the control unit 106 compares thevoltage value measured in step 312 with a predetermined threshold (forexample, V₁), and determines whether the measured voltage value is equalto or higher than “V₁”. Here, when the temperature of the load 132becomes a predetermined temperature which is higher than a boiling pointof the aerosol source, “V₁” can be a voltage value applied to the load132. Note that the voltage V_(HTR) applied to the load 132 when thetemperature of the load 132 is “T_(HTR)” can be expressed as follows.

V _(HTR)(T _(HTR))=I _(HTR)(T _(HTR))×R _(HTR)(T _(HTR))

Here, “I_(HTR)(T_(HTR))” is a current flowing through the load 132 whenthe temperature of the load 132 is “T_(HTR)”. The expression can bemodified as follows.

V_(HTR)(T_(HTR)) = V_(Batt)/{R_(shunt) + R_(HTR)(T_(HTR))} × R_(HTR)(T_(HTR)) = R_(HTR)/{R_(shunt) + R_(HTR)(T_(HTR))} × V_(Batt) = 1/{R_(shunt)/R_(HTR)(T_(HTR)) + 1} × V_(Batt)

Accordingly, when the temperature of the load 132 rises, the voltageapplied to the load 132 increases.

Alternatively, instead of the voltage applied to the load 132, thecontrol unit may compare the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212with the predetermined threshold, in step 314. It should be noted thatin order to compare the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212 withthe predetermined threshold, it is necessary to determine whether thevoltage applied to the shunt resistor 212 is equal to or lower than thepredetermined threshold. This can be described as follows. Firstly, thevoltage V_(shunt) applied to the shunt resistor 212 when the temperatureof the load 132 is “T_(HTR)” can he expressed as follows.

V _(shunt)(T _(HTR))=V _(Batt) −V _(HTR)(T _(HTR))

When the voltage V_(HTR) applied to the load 132 when the temperature ofthe above-described load 132 is “T_(HTR)” is substituted into thisexpression, this expression can be modified as follows.

V_(shunt)(T_(HTR)) = V_(Batt) − 1/{R_(shunt)/R_(HTR)(T_(HTR)) + 1} × V_(Batt) = [1 − 1/{R_(shunt)/R_(HTR)(T_(HTR)) + 1}] × V_(Batt)

Accordingly, when the temperature of the load 132 rises, the voltageapplied to the load 132 decreases. That is, in order to determinewhether the notice for a high temperature alert in subsequent step 318and the power supply to the load 132 in subsequent step 320 areprohibited or stopped, it is necessary to determine whether the voltageapplied to the shunt resistor 212 is equal to or lower than thepredetermined threshold.

In step 314, the control unit 106 may determine whether the secondvoltage value (a value of the voltage applied to the load 132 or a valueof the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212) satisfies the firstcondition while the first voltage value (a value of the voltage appliedto the entire circuit) is controlled to be constant. Note that asdescribed above, when a value of the voltage applied to the load 132 isused for the second voltage value, the first condition is whether thesecond voltage value is equal to or higher than “V₁,” and when a valueof the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212 is used for the secondvoltage value, the first condition is whether the second voltage valueis equal to or lower than “V₁”. Alternatively, the control unit 106 maydetermine whether the electric resistance value of the load 132 derivedfrom the first voltage value and the second voltage value satisfies thesecond condition (electric resistance value is equal to or higher thanthe predetermined resistance value R₁). In the case where the firstcondition or the second condition is satisfied a plurality of times,after step 304, the process proceeds to step 306, and it may bedetermined that the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.According to this configuration, in the case where the predeterminedcondition is satisfied a plurality of times, it is determined that theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity. The aerosol source is notnecessarily insufficient in quantity, even when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied due to such factors as a noise contained in theoutput value of the sensor 112, a resolution of the sensor 112, anddryness in at least part of the retention unit 130 or the aerosol basematerial 116B that is caused by the inhalation method although asufficient quantity of aerosol source remains in the storage unit 116Aor the entire aerosol base material 116B. Accordingly, the detectionaccuracy with respect to the insufficiency of the aerosol source is moreimproved as compared with the case where it is determined that theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity when the condition issatisfied only once.

When the conversion unit 208 (the switching converter or the like)illustrated in FIG. 2 is used, the control unit 106 controls theconversion unit 208 so that the conversion unit 208 converts an outputvoltage of the power supply 110 to apply the converted output voltage tothe entire circuit. The control unit 106 controls the conversion unit208 to output a constant voltage. This enables the first voltage to bestabilized, and the detection accuracy as to whether the aerosol sourceis insufficient in quantity is more improved as compared with the casewhere the voltage itself of the power supply 110 is applied. In thiscase, the first condition may be determined in step 314. That is, it maybe determined whether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity,using only the second voltage value. On the other hand, when theconversion unit 208 is not used, the second condition may be determinedin step 314.

In this example, the control unit 106 determines whether the aerosolsource is insufficient in quantity, based on the first voltage valuewhich is a value of the above-described constant voltage and the secondvoltage value which is output from the sensor 112B or 112D. The controlunit 106 may determine whether the aerosol source is insufficient inquantity based on comparison between the second voltage value outputfrom the sensor 112B or 112D and the predetermined threshold. In thiscase, it is only required that only the second voltage is detected,whereby there is less room for noise to be introduced, and the detectionaccuracy is improved.

The sensor 112B may be configured to output the second voltage valuebased on comparison between a reference voltage and an amplified voltageapplied to the load 132. For example, the sensor 112B may obtain adifference (an analog value) between the reference voltage that is ananalog value and an amplified value of the voltage applied to the load132 which is an analog value, and convert the difference into a digitalvalue. The digital value may be used as the above-described secondvoltage value.

In an example, the first voltage value may be stored in the memory 114.The control unit 106 may acquire the first voltage value and the secondvoltage value from the memory 114 and the sensor 112B or 112D,respectively.

When the conversion unit 208 is not used, the first voltage value andthe second voltage value are output using the sensor 112A, and thesensor 112B or the sensor 112D, respectively. The control unit 106 maydetermine whether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity basedon comparison between the electric resistance value of the load 132derived from the output values obtained from these sensors and thepredetermined threshold.

When the measured voltage value is lower than “V₁” (“N” in step 314),the process proceeds to step 316. In step 316, the control unit 106 mayreset the count value. For example, the control unit 106 may return thecount value to an initial value.

Thus, in the processing 300, the control unit 106 may return the countvalue to the initial value (for example, zero) when the first conditionis not satisfied or the second condition is not satisfied. In thismanner, even when the condition is satisfied only once due to temporarydryness of the retention unit 130 or the like, the detection accuracycan be secured thereafter.

When the measured voltage value is equal to or higher than “V₁” (“Y” instep 314), the process proceeds to step 318. In this case, thetemperature of the load 132 becomes higher than necessary. In step 318,the control unit 106 notifies of a high temperature alert. For example,the control unit 106 may cause the notifying unit 108 to operate in apredetermined manner to thereby notify of the alert.

The process proceeds to step 320, and the control unit 106 prohibits orstops the power supply to the load 132. Next, in step 322, the controlunit 106 increases the count value. For example, the control unit 106increases the counter value by 1. After step 322, the process returns tobefore step 302. Note that steps 318 and 320 may be omitted.

In the processing 300, when the above-described first condition iscontinuously satisfied a plurality of times or the above-describedsecond condition is continuously satisfied a plurality of times, thecontrol unit 106 may determine that the aerosol source is insufficientin quantity. This will still further improve the detection accuracy withrespect to the insufficiency of the aerosol source. Note that after step322, the determination in step 304 may be performed without waiting fordetection of the user's inhalation in step 302.

According to the embodiment in FIG. 3, the control unit 106 candetermine whether the aerosol source that can be supplied from thestorage unit 116A or the aerosol source retained in the aerosol basematerial 116B is insufficient in quantity based on the first voltagevalue which is a value of the voltage applied to the entire circuit andthe second voltage value which is a value of the voltage applied to aportion in the circuit where the voltage to be applied changes accordingto changes in temperature of the load 132. That is, it is possible toestimate a residual quantity of the aerosol source that can be suppliedfrom the storage unit 116A or the aerosol source retained in the aerosolbase material 116B.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of determining whether theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity, according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

The processes in steps 402 to 418 in FIG. 4 are the same as theprocesses in steps 302 to 318 in FIG. 3. Here, description thereof isomitted.

After step 418, the process proceeds to step 419. In step 419, thecontrol unit 106 determines whether the voltage value applied to theload 132 that is measured in step 412 is equal to or higher than apredetermined threshold (V₂). “V₂” may be a voltage value applied to theload 132 when the temperature of the load 132 becomes a predeterminedtemperature further higher than “V₁”. It should be noted that, asdescribed above, when instead of the voltage value applied to the load132, the voltage value applied to the shunt resistor 212 is used, “V₂”is a value smaller than “V₁,” and the control unit 106 determineswhether the voltage value applied to the shunt resistor 212 is equal toor lower than “V₂”.

When the measured voltage value is equal to or higher than “V₂” (“Y” instep 419), the process proceeds to steps 406 and 408, and then theprocess ends.

When the measured voltage value is lower than “V₂” (“N” in step 419),the process proceeds to step 420. The processes in steps 420 and 422 arethe same as the processes in steps 320 and 322, and description thereofis omitted. Note that after step 422, the determination in step 404 maybe performed without waiting for detection of the user's inhalation instep 402.

Thus, in the processing 400, the control unit 106 determines whether theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity using a first reference basedon the first voltage value and the second voltage value (step 414) and asecond reference different from the first reference (step 419). When thefirst reference is satisfied a plurality of times or the secondreference is satisfied a smaller number of times than the plurality oftimes, the control unit 106 determines that the aerosol source isinsufficient in quantity. It is more difficult to satisfy the secondreference than the first reference. In this manner, the processing 400has two-stage determination criterion, thereby enabling immediatedetermination whether the aerosol is insufficient in quantity andimproving the quality of the aerosol generation device 100.

In an example, when the voltage value applied to the load 132 is used asthe second voltage value, the first reference may be whether the secondvoltage value satisfies the first threshold (for example, the secondvoltage value is equal to or higher than “V₁”) while the first voltagevalue is controlled to he constant, or whether the electric resistancevalue of the load 132 derived from the first voltage value and thesecond voltage value satisfies the second threshold (for example, theelectric resistance value is equal to or higher than the predeterminedthreshold R₁). When the voltage value applied to the load 132 is used asthe second voltage value, the second reference may he whether the secondvoltage value satisfies a threshold greater than the first threshold orwhether the electric resistance value of the load 132 satisfies thethreshold greater than the second threshold.

In an example, when the voltage value applied to the shunt resistor 212is used as the second voltage value, the first reference may be whetherthe second voltage value satisfies the first threshold (for example, thesecond voltage value is equal to or lower than “V₁”) while the firstvoltage value is controlled to be constant, or whether the electricresistance value of the load 132 derived from the first voltage valueand the second voltage value satisfies the second threshold (forexample, the electric resistance value is equal to or higher than thepredetermined threshold R₁). When the voltage value applied to the shuntresistor 212 is used as the second voltage value, the second referencemay be whether the second voltage value satisfies a threshold smallerthan the first threshold or whether the electric resistance value of theload 132 satisfies the threshold greater than the second threshold.

As a variant of the processing 400 of FIG. 4, step 419 may be performedearlier than step 414. That is, the control unit 106 may be configuredto determine whether the second reference is satisfied beforedetermining whether the first reference is satisfied.

In an example, when the second reference is satisfied and it isdetermined that the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, thecontrol unit 106 may perform at least one of stop of supply of theelectric power from the power supply 110 to the load 132 or thenotification to the user without determining whether the first referenceis satisfied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of determining whether theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity, according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

The processes in steps 502 to 514 and 518 to 522 in FIG. 5 are the sameas the processes in steps 302 to 314 and 318 to 322 in FIG. 3, anddescription thereof is omitted.

In step 514, when the measured voltage value which is a voltage valueapplied to the load 132 is lower than “V₁” (“N” in step 514), theprocess proceeds to step 516. In step 516, the control unit 106 does notreset the count value but decreases the count value. For example, whenthe count value before the process in step 516 is 2, the control unit106 may set the count value to 1 by decreasing the count value by 1. Itshould be noted that in the case where the voltage value applied to theshunt resistor 212 is used as the measured voltage value, when themeasured voltage value exceeds “V₁” (“N” in step 514), the processproceeds to step 516.

Thus, in the processing 500, the control unit may store the number oftimes that the first condition is satisfied or the number of times thatthe second condition is satisfied, and decrease the number of times whenthe first condition is not satisfied or the second condition is notsatisfied. In this manner, even when the condition is satisfied onlyonce due to temporary dryness of the retention unit 130 or the like, thedetection accuracy can be secured thereafter.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include a connecterthat allows the attachment/detachment of the cartridge 104A includingthe storage unit 116A or the aerosol generating article 104B includingthe aerosol base material 116B and that allows detection of theattachment/detachment of the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generatingarticle 104B. For example, the aerosol generation device 100 may includea physical switch used for the above-described attachment anddetachment, a magnetic detection unit that detects the attachment ordetachment, and the like. The control unit 106 may have a function ofauthenticating ID of the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generatingarticle 104B. The control unit 106 may detect the attachment ordetachment of the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104Bbased on the fact that the physical switch has been actuated, themagnetic detection unit has detected a change in the magnetic field, theID of the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104B to beattached has changed, or the like. The control unit 106 may beconfigured to store the number of times that the first condition issatisfied or the number of times that the second condition is satisfiedand to decrease the number of times when the cartridge 104A or theaerosol generating article 104B is attached to the connecter. In thisexample, when the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104Bis replaced, the count value is decreased. Accordingly, it is notnecessary to inherit the count value stored for the cartridge 104A orthe aerosol generating article 104B before replacement, whereby thedetection accuracy for the new cartridge 104A or new aerosol generatingarticle 104B is improved.

In the above-described example, it may be possible to acquire theidentification information or the usage history of the cartridge 104A orthe aerosol generating article 104B in a predetermined manner. Thecontrol unit 106 may determine whether to decrease the above-describednumber of times based on the identification information or the usagehistory of the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104Bthat is attached to the connecter. For example, when the cartridge 104Aor the aerosol generating article 104B is replaced with a new one, thecount value may be decreased. Accordingly, if the same cartridge 104A oraerosol generating article 104B is connected again, the number of timesis not reset, whereby the detection accuracy for this cartridge isimproved.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of exemplary processing performed when a usersinhalation pattern is an unexpected pattern, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. The processing in FIG. 6 may be performed atany appropriate stage in the processing of the embodiments of thepresent disclosure which are described in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5.

In step 602, the control unit 106 measures a user's inhalation patternusing the flow sensor, the pressure sensor, or the like.

The process proceeds to step 604, and the control unit 106 determineswhether the measured inhalation pattern is an unexpected inhalationpattern. For example, the control unit 106 may perform the determinationby comparing the measured inhalation pattern with a normal inhalationpattern stored in the memory 114. The normal inhalation pattern mayinclude various patterns known to those skilled in the art, includinggaussian distribution and the like. The control unit 106 may perform thedetermination of step 604 based on whether a height and a skirt lengthof the measured inhalation pattern, an interval between the inhalationand the next inhalation, and the like are deviated from the normalvalues in the normal inhalation pattern by a predetermined threshold.

When the measured inhalation pattern is an unexpected inhalation pattern(“Y” in step 604), the process proceeds to step 606. In step 606, thecontrol unit 106 may increase the count thresholds used in steps 304,404, and 504. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may change thecontents of processing so that the count value is not increased in steps322, 422, and 522. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may reduce theincrease amount of the count values used in steps 322, 422, and 522.

When measured inhalation pattern is not an unexpected inhalation pattern(“N” in step 604), the process proceeds to step 608. In step 608, thecontrol unit 106 does not perform a setting change as performed in step606.

Thus, in the present embodiment, when the first condition or the secondcondition is satisfied in a state in which a time-series change of ademand for generation of aerosol does not meet a predetermined normalchange, the control unit 106 may increase the predetermined threshold(count threshold), may not increase the number of times (count value),may reduce the increase amount of the number of times (count value), orthe like. In this way, even when the first condition or the second.condition is satisfied when the user's inhalation is irregular such asin the case where a single inhalation is performed for a long period oftime, the case where the interval between inhalations is short, or thelike, the detection accuracy as to whether the aerosol source isinsufficient in quantity is improved.

In the above description, the first embodiment of the present disclosurehas been described as an aerosol generation device and a method ofactuating the aerosol generation device. However, it will be appreciatedthat the present disclosure, when being executed by a processor, can beimplemented as a program that causes the processor to perform the methodor as a computer readable storage medium storing the same program.

Second Embodiment

As described in relation to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the aerosol generation device 100 having configurationsillustrated in FIG. 1A to FIG. 2 is actuated according to the processingillustrated in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, whereby it is possible to determinewhether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity (to estimate theresidual quantity of the aerosol source).

The state in which the aerosol source is insufficient in quantityincludes the state in which the aerosol source stored in the storageunit 116A is depleted, the state in which the aerosol source retained inthe retention unit 130 is temporarily depleted, and the state in whichthe aerosol source retained in the aerosol generating article 104B(stick 104B) is depleted and the aerosol base material 116B is dried.

The aerosol generation device 100 according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure has the small number of required components, andhas high detection accuracy with respect to insufficiency of the aerosolsource, and therefore is superior to that of the conventional technique.However, the sensor 112B for measuring the voltage applied to the load132 has a product error. The sensor 112A for measuring the outputvoltage of the power supply 110 also has a product error. Furthermore,the output voltage of the power supply 110 in a non-equilibrium state(polarization state) tends to fluctuate. The present inventors haverecognized, as a further problem to be solved, a fact that these producterrors have an influence on the detection accuracy of the aerosolgeneration device 100 of the present disclosure. An object of the secondembodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generationdevice that solves this further problem, thereby further improving thedetection accuracy as to whether the aerosol source is insufficient inquantity.

A basic configuration of the aerosol generation device 100 according tothe present embodiment is similar to a configuration of the aerosolgeneration device 100 illustrated in each of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B and aconfiguration of the circuit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The aerosol generation device 100 includes the power supply 110, theload 132 that generates heat upon receipt of electric power from thepower supply 110 and atomizes an aerosol source using the heat, and inwhich an electric resistance value changes in response to a temperature,the first circuit 202 used to cause the load 132 to atomize the aerosolsource, the second circuit 204 used to detect the voltage that changesaccording to changes in temperature of the load 132, connected to thefirst circuit 202 in parallel, and having the electric resistance valuehigher than that of the first circuit 202, an acquisition unit thatacquires a value of a voltage applied to the second circuit 204 and theload 132, and the sensor 112B or 112D that outputs a value of thevoltage that changes according to the changes in temperature of the load132. The aerosol generation device 100 may or may not include theconversion unit 208 such as a switching converter.

The resistance value of the load (heater) 132 can be expressed with thefollowing expression.

R_(HTR)(T_(HTR)) = (V_(HTR) × R_(shunt))/(V_(Batt) − V_(HTR)) = (V_(Batt) − V_(shunt)) × R_(shunt)/V_(shunt)

Where “R_(HTR)” is an electric resistance value of the load 132,“T_(HTR)” is a temperature of the load 132, “V_(HTR)” is a value of thevoltage applied to the load 132, “R_(shunt)” is an electric resistancevalue of the shunt resistor 212, “V_(Batt)” is an output voltage of thepower supply 110, and “V_(shunt)” is a value of the voltage applied tothe shunt resistor 212. When the aerosol generation device 100 includesthe conversion unit 208, “V_(Batt)” is an output voltage of theconversion unit 208. Since the electric resistance value of the load 132changes in response to the changes in temperature of the load 132, thevalue of the voltage applied to the load 132 also changes in response tothe changes in temperature of the load 132. Accordingly, the value ofthe voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212 also changes in responseto the changes in temperature of the load 132.

When the aerosol veneration device 100 does not include the conversionunit 208, the above-described acquisition unit may be the sensor 112Athat detects an output voltage of the power supply 110. When the aerosolgeneration device 100 includes the conversion unit 208, a set value ofthe output voltage of the conversion unit 208 which is controlled to beconstant may be stored in the memory 114. In this case, the acquisitionunit may be a reader that reads the set value from the memory 114.

The second circuit 204 includes the shunt resistor 212. and the shuntresistor 212 has a known electric resistance value. The shunt resistor212 is connected to the load 132 in series. The sensors 112B and 112Doutput values of the voltages applied to the load 132 and the shuntresistor 212, respectively, as values of the voltages that changeaccording to the changes in the temperature of the load 132.

As described with regard to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the voltage value applied to the load 132 or the shuntresistor 212 may be used to determine whether the aerosol source isinsufficient in quantity. Since the second circuit 204 used to obtainthe voltage value includes the shunt resistor 212, the second circuit204 has an electric resistance value higher than that of the firstcircuit 202 used to generate the aerosol.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the shunt resistor 212has an electric resistance value higher than that of the load 132. It ispreferable that the aerosol generation device 100 measures a value ofthe voltage applied to the load 132 using the sensor 112B. The value ofthe voltage that changes according to the changes in temperature of theload 132 is obtained based on comparison between a value of thereference voltage and a value of an amplified voltage applied to theload 132. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described inconnection with its specific examples.

It is assumed that a normal temperature is 25° C., the boiling point ofthe aerosol source is 200° C., and the temperature of the load 132 is350° C. when it is determined that the aerosol source is insufficient inquantity (an overheated state). When the switch Q2 is in the on stateand the second circuit 204 is functioning, a value of the currentflowing through the shunt resistor 212 included in the second circuit204 is equal to a value of the current flowing through the load 132 thatis connected to the shunt resistor 212 in series. A current value I_(Q2)at this time can be expressed as follows.

I _(Q2) =V _(out)/(R _(HTR)(T _(HTR))+R _(shunt))

Where “V_(out)” is a value of the voltage applied to the combinedresistor formed of the shunt resistor 212 and the load 132 that areconnected to each other in series. Note that when the aerosol generationdevice 100 does not include the conversion unit 208, “V_(out)”corresponds to the output voltage of the power supply 110. In addition,when the aerosol generation device 100 includes the conversion unit 208,“V_(out)” corresponds to the output voltage of the conversion unit 208.A difference ΔI_(Q2) between “I_(Q2)” at the normal temperature and“I_(Q2)” in the overheated state is expressed as follows.

ΔI _(Q2) =V _(out)/(R _(HTR)(T _(R.T.))+R _(shunt))−V _(out)/(R _(HTR)(T_(delep.))+R _(shunt))

Where “R_(HTR)(T_(R.T.))” is a resistance value of the load 132 at thenormal temperature, and “R_(HTR)(T_(delep.))” is a resistance value ofthe load 132 in the overheated state. As an example, when V_(out)=2.0 V,R_(HTR)(T_(R.T.))=1Ω, R_(HTR)(T_(delep.))=2Ω, and R_(shunt)=199Ω,ΔI_(Q2)=0.05 mA. In addition, the value I_(Q2)(_(R.T.)) of the currentflowing through the second circuit 204 at the normal temperature iscalculated to be 10.00 mA. The value I_(Q2)(T_(delep.)) of the currentflowing through the second circuit 204 in the overheated state iscalculated to be 9.95 mA.

In this example, the voltages V_(shunt)(T_(R.T.)) andV_(shunt)(T_(delep.)) applied to the shunt resistor 212 in the normaltemperature state and the overheated state are 1990.00 mV and 1980.05mV, respectively. A difference |ΔV_(shunt)| between the two is 9.95 mV.On the other hand, the voltages V_(HTR)(T_(R.T.)) andV_(HTR)(T_(delep.)) applied to the load 132 in the normal temperaturestate and the overheated state are 10.00 mV and 19.90 mV, respectively.A difference |ΔV_(HTR)| between the two is 9.90 mV.

FIG. 7 illustrates a circuit configuration for obtaining a value of avoltage that changes according to changes in temperature of the load132, according to an embodiment. A circuit 700 illustrated in FIG. 7includes a comparator 702, an analog/digital converter 704, amplifiers706 and 708, and a reference voltage power supply 710 in addition to thefirst circuit 202, the second circuit 204, the switches Q1 and Q2, theshunt resistor 212, the load 132, and the sensors 112B and 112D thatform a part of the circuit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. The circuit 700does not necessarily include both of the sensors 112B and 112D, and itis only required that the circuit 700 includes any one of the sensors112B and 112D. The circuit 700 also does not necessarily include both ofthe amplifiers 706 and 708, and it is only required that the circuit 700includes any one of the amplifiers 706 and 708.

In the circuit 700, when the second circuit 204 is functioning (thecurrent flows as indicated by the arrow), a difference (analog value)between the reference voltage V_(ref) (analog value) output from thepower supply 710 and the voltage (analog value) applied to the shuntresistor 212 or the load 132 is obtained by the comparator 702. A valueof the voltage that changes according to changes in temperature of theload 132 is obtained by converting the difference into a digital valueusing the A/D converter 704. The reference voltage V_(ref) can be set toapproximately 5.0 V. When comparing with this reference voltage, it ispreferable that the voltage value applied to the shunt resistor 212 orthe load 132 is amplified to a value close to the reference voltage. Inthis example, since the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212 is inthe range of 1980.05 mV to 1990.00 mV, a possible amplification factorfor comparing with the reference voltage is approximately two times.Accordingly, the difference of 9.95 mV between the applied voltage inthe normal temperature state and the applied voltage in the overheatedstate is also amplified only to approximately two times. In contrast,since the voltage applied to the load 132 is in the range of 10.00 mV to19.90 mV, a possible amplification factor for comparing with thereference voltage is approximately 200 times. Accordingly, thedifference of 9.90 mV between the applied voltage in the normaltemperature state and the applied voltage in the overheated state can bealso amplified to approximately 200 times. Accordingly, the accuracy ofdistinguishing between the normal temperature state and the overheatedstate is higher when the applied voltage of the load 132 is measuredthan when the applied voltage of the shunt resistor 212 is measured.Accordingly, the applied voltage of the load 132 is measured, therebyimproving the detection accuracy with respect to the insufficiency ofthe aerosol source.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 includes the conversionunit 208 that converts an output voltage of the power supply 110 andapplies the converted output voltage to the second circuit 204 and theload 132. In this case, the acquisition unit may acquire a target valueof the output voltage of the conversion unit 208 while the current flowsthrough the second circuit 204. For example, the acquisition unit mayacquire the target value stored in the memory 114. According to thisconfiguration, it is not necessary to measure the voltage applied to theentire circuit by the sensor.

In an example, the conversion unit 208 is connected between a highervoltage node of nodes to which the first circuit 202 and the secondcircuit 204 are connected and the power supply 110. In this way, theconversion unit 208 is arranged upstream of the first circuit 202 forgenerating the aerosol and the second circuit 204 for measuring thevoltage. Accordingly, the voltage applied to the load 132 can be highlycontrolled also in generation of the aerosol, whereby the inhalingflavor component and the like contained in the aerosol generated by theaerosol generation device 100 is stabilized.

As an example, the conversion unit 208 is a switching regulator (a buckconverter) that can decrease and output the input voltage. Amongregulators, the switching regulator is used, thereby improving thevoltage conversion efficiency. Furthermore, this can prevent overvoltagefrom being applied to the circuit. Note that, to cause the first circuit202 to function, the control unit 106 may control the conversion unit208 so that the switching regulator which is the conversion unit 208stops switching and outputs the input voltage as is without convertingit. The control unit 106 controls the conversion unit 208 in a so-calleddirect connection mode, thereby causing no transition loss and noswitching loss in the conversion unit 208 and improving the utilizationefficiency of electric power stored in the power supply 110.

In an example, the storage unit 116A that stores the aerosol source, andthe load 132 may be included in the cartridge 104A that can beattached/detached to/from the aerosol generation device 100, via theconnecter. On the other hand, the sensor 112B is not included in thecartridge 104A, and may be included in the main body 102. That is, thesensor 112B may be configured to output a value of the voltage appliedto the load 132 and the connecter, as a value of the voltage thatchanges according to the changes in temperature of the load 132. Thus,the cost of the disposable cartridge 104A can be reduced.

In an example, the aerosol base material 116B that retains the aerosolsource may be included in the aerosol generating article 104B that isinsertable/extractable into/from the aerosol generation device 100. Onthe other hand, the sensor 112B is not included in the aerosolgenerating article 104B, and may be included in the main body 102. Thus,the cost of the disposable aerosol generating article 104B can bereduced.

Hereinafter, the electric resistance value of the shunt resistor 212 inthe present embodiment will be examined.

When the electric resistance value of the shunt resistor 212 is toolarge, the current hardly flows when the voltage values and theresistance values of the load 132 and the shunt resistor 212 aremeasured. As a result, the current value is buried in the error of thesensor. As a result, it makes it difficult to accurately measure thevoltage value and the resistance value.

To avoid the above-described problem, in an example, the electricresistance value of the shunt resistor 212 (and the voltage applied tothe entire circuit and the electric resistance value of the load 132)may be set so that a current having magnitude that allows distinguishingbetween the state in which the current flows through the second circuit204 and the state in which no current flows through the second circuit204 has such a value that the current flows through the second circuit204. In this way, the electric resistance value of the shunt resistor212 have such magnitude that the output values of the sensor 112B andthe sensor 112D are not buried in the noise. Accordingly, this canprevent a detection error as to whether the aerosol source isinsufficient in quantity.

As the power supply 110 is degraded, the output voltage of the powersupply 110 also decreases. Accordingly, when the second circuit 204 isfunctioning, the value of the current flowing through the second circuit204 decreases. Also, in the case where the voltage of the power supply110 is a discharge termination voltage (the residual quantity 0%), it isdesirable that the output values of the sensor 112B and the sensor 112Dhave such magnitude that the output values of the sensor 112B and thesensor 112D are not buried in the noise. For this purpose, in anexample, the electric resistance value of the shunt resistor 212 (andthe voltage applied to the entire circuit and the electric resistancevalue of the load 132) may be set so that a current having magnitudethat allows distinguishing between the state in which the current flowsthrough the second circuit 204 and the state in which no current flowsthrough the second circuit 204 has such a value that the current flowsthrough the second circuit 204 in the case where the voltage of thepower supply 110 is a discharge termination voltage. This can prevent adetection error as to whether the aerosol source is insufficient inquantity.

As described above, the aerosol generation device 100 may include theconversion unit 208 that converts the output voltage of the power supply110 and applies the converted voltage to the second circuit 204 and theload 132. In this case, the electric resistance value of the shuntresistor 212 (and the voltage applied to the entire circuit and theelectric resistance value of the load 132) may be set so that a currenthaving magnitude that allows distinguishing between the state in whichthe current flows through the second circuit 204 and the state in whichno current flows through the second circuit 204 has such a value thatthe current flows through the second circuit 204 in the case where theoutput voltage of the conversion unit 208 is applied to the secondcircuit 204 and the load 132. This can prevent a detection error as towhether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.

In an example, the electric resistance value of the shunt resistor 212(and the voltage applied to the entire circuit and the electricresistance value of the load 132) has such a value that a current havingmagnitude that allows distinguishing between the state in which thecurrent flows through the second circuit 204 and the state in which nocurrent flows through the second circuit 204 has such a value that thecurrent flows through the second circuit 204 in the case where thetemperature of the load 132 is an achievable temperature only when theaerosol source is insufficient in quantity. This can prevent a detectionerror even in the state that the current most hardly flows due toinsufficiency of the aerosol source.

When the electric resistance value of the shunt resistor 212 is toosmall, the electric power higher than necessary is supplied to the load132 when the voltage value of the load 132 is measured using the secondcircuit 204, which may cause generation of the aerosol. In this case,the aerosol source is consumed wastefully.

To solve the above-described problem, in an example, the electricresistance value of the shunt resistor 212 (and the voltage applied tothe entire circuit and the electric resistance value of the load 132)may be set to have such a value that only the electric power requiredfor heat retention of the load 132 is supplied to the load 132 while thecurrent flows through the second circuit 204. In another example, theelectric resistance value of the shunt resistor 212 (and the voltageapplied to the entire circuit and the electric resistance value of theload 132) may be set to have such a value that the load 132 does notgenerate the aerosol while the current flows through the second circuit204. These configurations can prevent the aerosol source from beingconsumed wastefully.

As an example, the electric resistance value of the shunt resistor 212such that only the electric power required for heat retention of theload 132 is supplied to the load 132 while the current flows through thesecond circuit 204 will be examined with respect to the aerosolgeneration device 100A. Firstly, the amount of heat Q required for heatretention of the load 132 per unit time is expressed as follows.

Q=(m _(wick) ×C _(wick))×(T _(B.P.) −ΔT _(wick))+(m _(coil) ×C_(coil))×(T _(B.P.) −ΔT _(coil))+(m _(liquid) ×C _(liquid))×(T _(B.P.)−ΔT _(liquid))

“m_(wick),” “m_(coil),” and “m_(liquid)” are masses of the aerosolsources retained in the retention unit 130, the load 132, and theretention unit 130, respectively. “C_(wick),” “C_(coil),” and“C_(liquid)” are specific heats of the aerosol sources retained in theretention unit 130, the load 132, and the retention unit 130,respectively. “−ΔT_(wick),” “−ΔT_(coil),” and “−ΔT_(liquid)” aretemperature decreases per unit time of the retention unit 130, the load132, and the retention unit 130, respectively. In addition, “T_(B.P.)”is a boiling point of the aerosol source.

Note that for the sake of simplicity, “ΔT_(wick),” “ΔT_(coil),” and“ΔT_(liquid)” may be regarded as all the same value ΔT. “Q” in this caseis expressed as follows.

Q=(m _(wick) ×C _(wick) +m _(coil) ×C _(coil) +m _(liquid) ×C_(liquid))×(T _(B.P.) −ΔT)

The expression in parenthesis is replaced with “Σm×C”, “Q” is expressedas follows.

Q=(Σm×C)×(T _(B.P.) −ΔT)

The electric power W consumed in the load 132 while the current flowsthrough the second circuit 204 is expressed by the following expression.

W = V_(HTR) × I_(Q 2) = (V_(out) − V_(shunt)) × I_(Q 2) = (V_(out) − I_(Q 2) × R_(shunt)) × I_(Q 2)

Where “V_(HTR)” is a value of the voltage applied to the load 132,“I_(Q2)” is a value of the current flowing through the second circuit,“V_(out)” is a value of the voltage applied to a combined resistorformed of the shunt resistor 212 and the load 132 that are connected toeach other in series, “V_(shunt)” is a value of the voltage applied tothe shunt resistor 212, and “R_(shunt)” is an electric resistance valueof the shunt resistor 212.

That is, in order to ensure that only the electric power required forheat retention of the load 132 is supplied to the load 132 while thecurrent flows through the second circuit 204, it is necessary to satisfythe following equation.

W=Q

When the above-described expression is substituted into “W” to therebyobtain the electric resistance value R_(shunt) of the shunt resistor212, the electric resistance value R_(shunt) is expressed as follows.

(V_(out) − I_(Q 2) × R_(shunt)) × I_(Q 2) = Q − R_(shunt) × I_(Q 2)² + V_(out) × I_(Q 2) = QR_(shunt) = V_(out)/I_(Q 2) − Q/I_(Q 2)² = (V_(out)/V_(HTR)) × R_(HTR) − (R_(HTR)/V_(HTR))² × Q

Accordingly, it is only required that the electric resistance value ofthe shunt resistor 212 (and the voltage applied to the entire circuitand the electric resistance value of the load. 132) is set to satisfythe above expression. Note that “V_(BTR)” may be regarded as a valueobtained by multiplying “V_(out)” by a predetermined coefficient smallerthan 1. Furthermore, since an ideal model is used for this examinationand an approximation is performed, “±Δ” serving as a correction term maybe introduced into the above expression.

The switch Q1 is used to connect and disconnect the electricalconduction of the first circuit 202. The switch Q2 is used to connectand disconnect the electrical conduction of the second circuit 204. Inan example, the control unit 106 may control switching of the switchesQ1 and Q2 so that an on time of the switch Q1 is longer than that of theswitch Q2. A time period (on time) from when the switch Q2 is switchedto the on state until the switch Q2 is switched to the off state can bethe minimum time period that can be achieved by the control unit 106,According to such a configuration, the time period during which theswitch Q2 is in the on state to measure the voltage of the load 132 orthe shunt resistor 212 is shorter than the time period during which theswitch Q1 is in the on state to generate the aerosol. Accordingly, theaerosol source can he prevented from being consumed wastefully.

As an example, the aerosol generation device according to the presentembodiment may be manufactured according to the method including thefollowing steps.

-   -   Step of arranging the load 132 generates heat upon receipt of        electric power from the power supply 110 and atomizes an aerosol        source using the heat, and in which an electric resistance value        changes in response to a temperature    -   Step of forming the first circuit 202 used to cause the load 132        to atomize the aerosol source    -   Step of forming the second circuit 204 used to detect a voltage        that changes according to changes in temperature of the load        132, connected to the first circuit 202 in parallel, and having        an electric resistance value higher than that of the first        circuit 202    -   Step of arranging an acquisition unit that acquires a value of a        voltage applied to the second circuit 204 and the load 132    -   Step of arranging the sensor 112B (or the sensor 112D) that        outputs the value of a voltage that changes according to the        changes in temperature of the load 132

Third Embodiment

When the aerosol source stored in the storage unit 116A is insufficientin quantity, it is necessary to replace the cartridge 104A. Similarly,when the aerosol source carried in the aerosol base material 116B isinsufficient in quantity, it is necessary to replace the aerosolgenerating article 104B. The resistance value of the heater (the load132) included in the cartridge 104A (or the aerosol generating article104B) has a manufacturing variation. Accordingly, if the same settings(for example, a threshold related to the resistance value of the load132, the threshold related to the voltage value of the load 132, and thelike) are used for all of the cartridges 104A to detect insufficiency ofthe aerosol source, the insufficiency of the aerosol source cannot bedetected with high accuracy in some cases. In this case, a problem fromthe viewpoint of safety may arise in that the aerosol generation device100 causes unintended behavior or the like. The present inventors haverecognized such a problem as a new problem. An object of a thirdembodiment of the present disclosure is to solve such a new problem andto provide an aerosol generation device with further improved detectionaccuracy as to whether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of detecting insufficiencyof the aerosol source. Here, all the steps will be described as beingperformed by the control unit 106. However, it should be noted that someof the steps may be performed by another component in the aerosolgeneration device 100. Note that the present embodiment is describedusing the circuit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 as an example, but it isapparent to those skilled in the art that the description can be madeusing another circuit. This is applicable to the following otherflowcharts.

The process starts at step 802. In step 802, the control unit 106determines whether the user's inhalation has been detected, based on theinformation obtained from the pressure sensor, the flow sensor, and thelike. For example, when the output values of these sensors continuouslychange, the control unit 106 may determine that the user's inhalationhas been detected. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may determinethat the user's inhalation has been detected, based on a fact that abutton for starting the generation of the aerosol has been pressed, etc.

When it is determined that the inhalation has been detected (“Y” in step802), the process proceeds to step 804. In step 804, the control unit106 switches the switch Q1 to the on state to cause the first circuit202 to function.

The process proceeds to step 806, and the control unit 106 determineswhether the inhalation has been completed. When it is determined thatthe inhalation has been completed. (“Y” in step 806), the processproceeds to step 808.

In step 808, the control unit 106 switches the switch Q1 to the offstate. In step 810, the control unit 106 switches the switch Q2 to theon state to cause the second circuit 204 to function.

The process proceeds to step 812, and the control unit 106 derives aresistance value of the load 132. For example, the control unit 106 maydetect a value of the current flowing through the second circuit 204 andderive the resistance value of the load 132 based on the detected valueof the current.

The process proceeds to step 814, and the control unit 106 determineswhether the resistance value of the load 132 exceeds a predeterminedthreshold. The threshold may be set to a resistance value when thetemperature of the load 132 reaches a predetermined temperature higherthan a boiling point of the aerosol source. When it is determined thatthe resistance value of the load exceeds the threshold (“Y” in step814), the process proceeds to step 816, and the control unit 106determines that the aerosol source in the aerosol generation device 100is insufficient in quantity. On the other hand, when it is determinedthat the resistance value of the load does not exceed the threshold (“N”in step 814), it is not determined that the aerosol source isinsufficient in quantity.

It should be noted that FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a general flowfor determining whether the aerosol source in the aerosol generationdevice 100 is insufficient in quantity.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between anelectric resistance value and a temperature of each of the loads(heaters) 132 made of the same metal A. Basically, the temperature andthe electric resistance value of the load 132 are in a proportionalrelationship. Since the resistance value of the load 132 has amanufacturing variation, as shown in the figure, the loads 132 mayobtain resistance values such as R, R₁, and R₂ that are different fromone individual to another, at the room temperature (for example, 25°C.). When 350° C. is used as the temperature threshold of the load 132which is the criterion for determining whether the aerosol source isinsufficient in quantity, as shown in the figure, thresholds of theresistance values of the loads 132 which are the criterion fordetermining whether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity arevalues R′, R₁′, and R₂′ which are different from one individual toanother.

The configuration of the aerosol generation device according to thepresent embodiment is basically the same as the configurations of theaerosol generation device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B and thecircuit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. In an example, the aerosol generationdevice includes the power supply 110, the load 132 that generates heatupon receipt of electric power from the power supply 110 and atomizes anaerosol source using the heat, and has a temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic as shown in FIG. 9 in which an electric resistance valuechanges in response to a temperature, a memory 114 that stores thetemperature-resistance value characteristic, a sensor that outputs avalue (an electric resistance value, a current value, a voltage value,or the like) related to the resistance value of the load 132, and acontrol unit configured to calibrate the stored temperature-resistancevalue characteristic based on correspondence between an output value ofthe sensor and an estimate of the temperature of the load 132corresponding to the output value.

According to the present embodiment, the PTC characteristic of thecartridge 104A (or the aerosol generating article 104B) is calibratedbased on the association between the electric resistance value and thetemperature of the load 132. Accordingly, even when an individualdifference exists in the PTC characteristic of the cartridge 104A (orthe aerosol generating article 104B), the PTC characteristic can becalibrated to a correct value. It should be noted that even when theload 132 has the NTC characteristic, the NTC characteristic can becalibrated in the same manner.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load 132, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, it is assumed that theaerosol generation device of the present embodiment has the sameconfiguration of the aerosol generation device 100A illustrated in FIG.1A or the aerosol generation device 100B illustrated in FIG. 1B.However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the sameprocessing can be applied to various aerosol generation devices havingthe other configurations.

The process in step 1002 is the same as the processes in step 308 ofFIG. 3, step 408 of FIG. 4, and step 508 of FIG. 5 in relation to thefirst embodiment. The control unit 106 performs a control to notify theuser of the abnormality. For example, the control unit 106 causes thenotifying unit 108 to perform the operation such as light emission,display, sound production, or vibration. In this case, in order togenerate the aerosol using the aerosol generation device 100, the userneeds to detach the cartridge 104A (or the aerosol generating article104B) and replace with a new cartridge.

The process proceeds to step 1004, and the control unit 106 performs adetachment inspection for detecting whether the cartridge 104A has beendetached. In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include aconnecter that allows the attachment/detachment of the cartridge 104A orthe insertion/extraction of the aerosol generating article 104B. Thecontrol unit 106 may calibrate the stored temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic only when detecting the detachment of the cartridge 104Afrom the connecter or the extraction of the aerosol generating article104B from the connecter. This can prevent calibration from beingperformed at a wrong timing.

Thus, the control unit 106 may determine whether to perform thecalibration based on a predetermined condition, prior to the calibrationof the stored temperature-resistance value characteristic. In anexample, the control unit 106 may store the resistance value of thecartridge 104A detached from the connecter or the resistance value ofthe aerosol generating article I04B extracted from the connecter. Theabove-described predetermined condition may be that the resistance valuestored in the control unit 106 is different from the resistance value ofthe cartridge 104A newly attached to the connecter or the resistancevalue of the aerosol generating article 104B newly inserted into theconnecter. In another example, the above-described predeterminedcondition may be that a rate of change in the resistance value of thecartridge 104A attached to the connecter or a rate of change in theresistance value of the aerosol generating article 104B inserted intothe connecter is lower than a predetermined threshold while the powersupply to the load 132 is continued. With these configurations, anunnecessary calibration can be suppressed in the case where thecartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104B that has been oncedetached is connected again or the like. In addition, in an example, theabove-described predetermined condition may be that from correspondencebetween an output value of the sensor and an estimate of the temperatureof the load 132 corresponding to the output value, it is determined thatthe temperature of the load 132 is estimated smaller than an actualvalue if the stored temperature-resistance value characteristic is notcalibrated.

In step 1006, the control unit 106 determines whether the detachment ofthe cartridge 104A (or the extraction of the aerosol generating article104B) has been detected, based on the result of the process in step1004. Note that in step 1006, the control unit 106 may determine whetherthe attachment of the cartridge 104A (or the insertion of the aerosolgenerating article 104B) has been detected, after the detachment of thecartridge 104A (or the extraction of the aerosol generating article104B). In addition, only when the attachment of the cartridge 104A (orthe insertion of the aerosol generating article 104B) has been detected,the process may proceed to step 1008.

When the detachment of the cartridge 104A has been detected (“Y” in step1006), the process proceeds to step 1008. In step 1008, the control unit106 prohibits the power supply to the load 132 for a predeterminedperiod of time. The predetermined period of time can be, for example, aperiod of time sufficient for the temperature of the load 132 to be theroom temperature.

The process proceeds to step 1010, and the control unit 106 switches theswitch Q2 to the on state. This causes the second circuit 204 tofunction.

The process proceeds to step 1012, and the control unit 106 acquires avalue related to the resistance value of the load 132. For example, theaerosol generation device 100A may include a current sensor fordetecting a value of the current flowing through the second circuit 204.The control unit 106 may acquire a resistance value of the load 132based on the value of the current and a voltage value obtained by thesensor 112B. Alternatively, as described in relation to the firstembodiment, in step 1012, the control unit 106 may acquire a voltagevalue of the load 132 using the sensor 112B.

The process proceeds to step 1014, and the control unit 106 calibratesthe stored temperature-resistance value characteristic for the load 132.For example, it is assumed that the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic 902 shown in FIG. 9 has been stored in the memory beforethe processing 1000 is performed. When a resistance value of the load132 at the room temperature is R₁, the resistance value being acquiredin step 1008, the control 106 may use the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic 904 instead of the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic 902 in step 1014.

In step 1014, the control unit 106 may calibrate an intercept of thestored temperature-resistance value characteristic (R, R₁, and R₂ in thecase of an example shown in FIG. 9). Since only the intercept of the PTCcharacteristic is calibrated, it is only required that the informationof only one point of the relationship between the resistance value andthe temperature is acquired, thereby allowing faster calibration.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include databasethat stores an electric resistance value of the load 132 and one of aninclination and an intercept of the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic corresponding to the electric resistance value, for eachtype of the load 132. The control unit 106 may calibrate one of theinclination and the intercept of the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic based on the output value of the sensor and the database.In addition, the control unit 106 may calibrate the other of theinclination and the intercept of the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic based on the output value of the sensor and one of theinclination and the intercept of the calibrated temperature-resistancevalue characteristic. In another example, the above-described databasemay be positioned outside the aerosol generation device 100, and thecontrol unit 106 may obtain necessary information by communicating withthe database or the like.

In an example, the above-described database may store an electricresistance value of the load 132 at the room temperature or thetemperature at which the aerosol is generated and the other of theinclination and the intercept of the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic corresponding to the electric resistance value, for eachtype of the load 132.

The process proceeds to step 1016, and the control unit 106 updates athreshold R_(threshold) of the resistance value used for determiningwhether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity (for example,step 814 of FIG. 8). In the above-described example, the value ofR_(threshold) is changed from “R′” to “R₁′”.

Thus, in an example, the control unit 106 may calibrate the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic based on correspondencebetween an output value (a voltage value, a current value, a resistancevalue, or the like) of the sensor before the load 132 generates theaerosol and the room temperature. Since the PTC characteristic iscalibrated based on the room temperature, the calibration accuracy withrespect to the PTC characteristic is improved.

In addition, in an example, when the predetermined condition by which itis determined that the temperature of the load 132 is the roomtemperature is established, the control unit 106 may calibrate thestored temperature-resistance value characteristic based on thecorrespondence between an output value of the sensor before the load 132generates the aerosol and the room temperature. In this way, thecalibration is performed when the condition by which it is probable thatthe temperature of the load 132 has reached the room temperature isestablished. Accordingly, the possibility that the temperature of theload at the time of calibration is certainly the room temperatureincreases, whereby the calibration accuracy with respect to the PTCcharacteristic is improved.

In an example, the predetermined condition may be that a predeterminedperiod of time has elapsed since the previous aerosol generation. As aresult, a fact that the predetermined period of time has elapsed sincethe previous aerosol generation becomes the condition for regarding thetemperature of the load as the room temperature. Accordingly, the loadat the time of calibration is sufficiently cooled, whereby thepossibility that the temperature of the load is settled to the roomtemperature increases.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include thecartridge 104A that includes the load 132 and the storage unit 116A forstoring the aerosol source or the aerosol generating article 104B thatincludes the load 132 and the aerosol base material 116B for retainingthe aerosol source, and the connecter that allows theattachment/detachment of the cartridge 104A or the insertion/extractionof the aerosol generating article 104B. The above-describedpredetermined condition may be that a predetermined period of time haselapsed since the attachment of the cartridge 104 to the connecter orthe insertion of the aerosol generating article 104B into the connecter.In this way, a fact that the predetermined period of time has elapsedsince the connection of the cartridge 104A becomes the condition forregarding the temperature of the load as the room temperature.Accordingly, the temperature of the load at the time of calibration issufficiently cooled, whereby the possibility that the temperature of theload is settled to the room temperature increases.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include, as thesensor 112, the temperature sensor that outputs a temperature of anelectric component forming the main body 102 including the power supply110, the control unit 106, and the like or any one of a temperatureinside the main body 102 and an ambient temperature of the main body102. The above-described predetermined condition may be that thetemperature output by the sensor 112 is the room temperature or anabsolute value of a difference between the temperature output by thesensor 112 and the room temperature is equal to or less thanpredetermined threshold. Such a condition may be also the condition forregarding the temperature of the load as the room temperature.Accordingly, when the temperature output by the sensor 112 is thetemperature of the power supply 110 and the temperature of the controlunit 106 or the temperature inside the main body 102,the aerosolgeneration device 100 is not functioning or is in a standby mode withlow power consumption. In other words, the aerosol generation device 100is in a state in which the electric power is not supplied to the load132, whereby the temperature of the load at the time of calibration issufficiently cooled, and the possibility that the temperature of theload is settled to the room temperature increases. in addition, when thetemperature output by the sensor 112 is the ambient temperature of themain body 102, the aerosol generation device 100 is not left under anenvironment in which an absolute value of a difference between thetemperature output by the sensor 112 and the room temperature ratherthan the room temperature including high temperature and low temperatureis large, whereby the possibility that the temperature of the load atthe time of calibration is settled to the room temperature increases.

In an example, when the above-described predetermined condition issatisfied, the control unit 106 may control the load 132 not to generatethe aerosol until an output value of the sensor is associated with anestimate of the temperature corresponding to the output value. It willbe appreciated that the temperature-resistance value characteristic mayor may not be calibrated in response to the output value of the sensor.According to this configuration, the aerosol is not generated until theresistance value is measured. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent theoccurrence of a situation that the temperature of the load at the timeof calibration is greatly higher than the room temperature. Furthermore,since the aerosol is not generated using the temperature-resistancevalue characteristic before the calibration, detracting from theinhaling flavor of the aerosol can be prevented.

In an example, the control unit 106 may supply predetermined electricpower from the power supply 110 to the load 132, the predeterminedelectric power being smaller than electric power required to increasethe temperature of the load 132 to a temperature at which the load 132can generate the aerosol. Furthermore, the control unit may calibratethe temperature-resistance value characteristic based on the outputvalue output by the sensor while the predetermined electric power issupplied to the load 132.

In an example, the above-described predetermined electric power may beelectric power that does not cause the temperature of the load 132 toincrease over the resolution of the sensor. In another example, theabove-described predetermined electric power may be electric power thatdoes not cause the temperature of the load 132 to increase.

In an example, the control unit 106 may calibrate the inclination andthe intercept of the stored temperature-resistance value characteristicbased on the correspondence between an output value of the sensor and anestimate of the temperature of the load 132 corresponding to the outputvalue and information (for example, a coefficient indicating theinclination of the temperature-resistance value characteristic) aboutthe load 132 or the cartridge 104A including the load 132. In this way,not only the intercept but also the inclination is calibrated also basedon the information about the cartridge 104A. Accordingly, even when adifferent cartridge including the load 132 made of different metal isconnected, the calibration can be performed with high accuracy for eachcartridge.

In an example, the control unit 106 may acquire the information aboutthe load. 132 or the cartridge 104A from at least one of communicationwith the external terminal, identification information of the load 132,identification information of the cartridge 104A or a package of thecartridge 104A, and a user input.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The processes in steps 1102A to 1106A are the same as the processes insteps 1002 to 1006 in an example of FIG. 10, and description thereof isomitted.

When the detachment of the cartridge 104A has been detected (“Y” in step1106A), the process proceeds to step 1108A. In step 1108A, whendetecting the user's inhalation, the control unit 106 switches theswitch Q1 to the on state. Accordingly, this causes the first circuit202 to function, whereby the aerosol is generated.

The process proceeds to step 1110A, and the control unit 106 switchesthe switch Q1 to the off state, and the switch Q2 to the on state.Accordingly, this causes the first circuit 202 not to function, butinstead causes the second circuit 204 to function. The processes insteps 1112A to 1116A are the same as the processes in steps 1012 to 1016of FIG. 10, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The processes in steps 1102B to 1112B are the same as the processes insteps 1012A to 1112A of FIG. 11A, and description thereof is omitted.

In step 1113B, the control unit 106 determines whether a value acquiredin step 1112B is lower than the predetermined threshold. For example,the resistance value of the load 132 when the temperature of the load132 reaches a temperature (for example, 300° C.) higher than the boilingpoint of the aerosol source may be set as the threshold. By performingthe determination in step 1113B, the control unit 106 can determinewhether the load 132 is in a state of generating the aerosol or a stateof not generating the aerosol due to the insufficiency of the aerosolsource.

When an acquired value is lower than the threshold (“Y” in step 1113B),the process proceeds to step 1114B. The processes in steps 1114B and1116B are the same as the processes in steps 1114A and 1116A, anddescription thereof is omitted.

When the acquired value is equal to or higher than the threshold (“N” instep 1113B), the processes of steps 1114B and 1116B are not performed,and then the processing 1110B ends.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, in an example, the controlunit 106 calibrates the stored temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic based on the correspondence between the output value ofthe sensor when the electric power sufficient for aerosol generation issupplied to the load 132 and the temperature causing the aerosolgeneration. Since the PTC characteristic is calibrated based on theaerosol generation temperature, the calibration accuracy with respect tothe PTC characteristic is improved.

In an example, when the output value of the sensor when the electricpower sufficient for aerosol generation is supplied to the load 132 isequal to or higher than the threshold, the control unit 106 does notcalibrate the stored temperature-resistance value characteristic. Inthis manner, when the temperature (resistance value) of the load isextremely high, the PTC characteristic is not calibrated. Accordingly,since the control unit 106 does not erroneously recognize that theexcessively high temperature of the load when the aerosol source isdepleted is the aerosol generation temperature, the calibration accuracywith respect to the PTC characteristic can be prevented from beingdrastically deteriorated. Alternatively, in another example, when achange amount in the output value of the sensor when the predeterminedelectric power is supplied to the load 132 is equal to or higher thanthe threshold, the control unit 106 does not calibrate the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic. In this way, when thetemperature (resistance value) of the load extremely changes, the PTCcharacteristic is not calibrated. Accordingly, when the aerosol sourceis depleted, which may cause an extreme change in temperature of theload, the PTC characteristic is not calibrated, whereby the calibrationaccuracy with respect to the PTC characteristic can be prevented frombeing drastically deteriorated.

In an example, the control unit 106 calibrates the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic based on the correspondencebetween the output value of the sensor when the electric powersufficient for aerosol generation is supplied to the load 132 and is inthe steady state at a value other than the room temperature, and thetemperature causing the aerosol generation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The processes in steps 1202 to 1212 are the same as the processes insteps 1002 and 1012 of FIG. 10. The processes in steps 1214 to 1218 arethe same as the processes in steps 1108A and 1112A of FIG. 11A. In theflow of FIG. 12, these both processes are performed, and then theprocess proceeds to step 1220. In step 1220, the control unit 106calibrates the inclination and the intercept of the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic based on the correspondence(obtained in steps 1208 to 1212) between an output value of the sensorbefore the load 132 generates the aerosol and the room temperature andthe correspondence (based in step 1214 to step 1218) between an outputvalue of the sensor when the electric power sufficient for aerosolgeneration is supplied to the load 132 and the temperature causing theaerosol generation. That is, the intercept and the inclination of thePTC characteristic are calibrated using two plots of (the temperatureand the resistance value). Accordingly, the intercept and theinclination of the PTC characteristic can be calibrated with a simplermethod without the necessity of having a dedicated informationacquisition unit (for example, without the necessity of embedding theinformation necessary for calibration in the cartridge 104A).

Similarly to the example of FIG. 11B, in the above-described example,when the output value of the sensor when the electric power sufficientfor aerosol generation is supplied to the load 132 is equal to or higherthan the threshold, the control unit 106 need not calibrate the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing that a temperature threshold for determiningthat the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity may become too highdue to a manufacturing variation of the load 132. The three straightlines shown in FIG. 13 indicate the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristics of the loads (heaters) 132 made of the same type ofmetal A. Here, a solid line 1302 indicates a characteristic of astandard first load 132-1 having an initial resistance value R, a dottedline 1304 indicates a characteristic of a second load 132-2 having aninitial resistance value R₁ that is higher than that of the standardone, and a dash dotted line 1306 indicates a characteristic of a secondload 132-3 having an initial resistance value R₂ that is lower than thatof the standard one. In addition, it is assumed that it is determinedthat the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity when the boilingpoint of the aerosol source is 200° C., and the temperature of the firstload 132-1 is 350° C. In this case, as can be appreciated from thefigure, a threshold of the resistance value of the load for determiningwhether the aerosol source is insufficient in quantity is R_(threshold).In the case of the second load 132-2, the resistance value isR_(threshold) when the temperature of the load reaches 330° C.Accordingly, since the alert is provided to the user at the temperaturelower than the standard temperature threshold 350° C. even when“R_(threshold)” is used as a threshold, the overheating state does notoccur. Accordingly, regarding the second load 132-2, it can be said thatthe calibration of the temperature-resistance value characteristic isnot necessarily required. On the other hand, in the case of the thirdload 132-3, the resistance value becomes “R_(threshold)” after thetemperature of the load reaches 370° C. Accordingly, when“R_(threshold)” is used as a threshold, the alert is not provided untilthe temperature of the load 132-3 reaches 370° C. which is very hightemperature, resulting that the overheating state may occur.Accordingly, regarding the second load 132-3, it is necessary tocalibrate the temperature-resistance value characteristic. In anexample, only when the initial resistance value of the load 132 is below“R_(stand)” shown in FIG. 13, the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic of the load 132 may be calibrated.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of exemplary processing of calibrating atemperature-resistance value characteristic of the load according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, in light of a point pointed out inFIG. 13.

The processes in steps 1402 to 1412 are the same as the processes insteps 1002 to 1012 in FIG. 10, and description thereof is omitted.

In step 1413, the control unit 106 determines whether a resistance value(or a voltage value, a current value, or the like related to theresistance value) of the load 132 at the room temperature which isacquired in step 1412 is lower than “R_(stand)” (or a voltage value, acurrent value, or the like corresponding to this) shown in FIG. 13.

When the resistance value of the load 132 is lower than “R_(stand)” (“Y”in step 1413), the process proceeds to step 1414. The processes in steps1414 and 1416 are the same as the processes in steps 1014 and 1016 inFIG. 10, and description thereof is omitted.

When the resistance value of the load 132 is equal to or higher than“R_(stand)” (“N” in step 1413), the processes of steps 1414 and 1416 arenot performed, and the process ends.

According to the present embodiment, the control unit 106 may determinewhether to perform the calibration based on the predetermined condition,prior to the calibration of the stored temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic. As described above, in an example, the predeterminedcondition may be that from correspondence between an output value of thesensor and an estimate of the temperature of the load 132 correspondingto the output value, it is determined that the temperature of the load132 is estimated smaller than an actual value if the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic is not calibrated. Thepredetermined condition may be that the output value of the sensor islower than the predetermined threshold. With these configurations, thecalibration is performed only when the overheating state occurs if thetemperature-resistance value characteristic is not calibrated.Accordingly, when it is not necessary to perform the calibration, suchas when the measured initial resistance value of the load includes aslight error such as an error of the sensor, undesirable calibration canbe prevented from being performed.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing an example of the temperature-resistancevalue characteristic of each of the different loads (heaters) 132 thatare made of different metals. A solid line 1502, a dash dotted line1504, and a dotted line 1506 indicate characteristics of a load 132Amade of a metal A, a load 132B made of a metal B, and a load 132C madeof a metal C, respectively. The different types of metals have differenttemperature coefficients of resistance, and different inclinations ofthe respective characteristics. Accordingly, as shown in the figure,even when the initial resistance values R_(A), R_(B), and R_(C) of theload 132A, the load 132B, and the load 132C are the same value, theresistance values R′_(A), R′_(B), and R′_(C) of the respective loadswhen the temperatures of the respective load reaches 350° C. aredifferent from one another. As can be appreciated, when the cartridge104A or the aerosol generating article 104B including a load made of acertain metal is replaced with the cartridge 104A or the aerosolgenerating article 104B including a load made of a different metal, itis necessary to update a threshold used for determining theinsufficiency of the aerosol source. Note that the initial resistancevalues R_(A), R_(B), and R_(C) of the load 132A, the load 132B, and theload 132C may be different values.

In such a case, in an example, the control unit 106 may measure theinitial resistance value of the load 132. when the new cartridge 104A orthe new aerosol generating article 104B is inserted into the aerosolgeneration device 100. Next, the control unit 106 may calculate aresistance threshold used for determining the insufficiency of theaerosol source based on the temperature-resistance value characteristicof the load 132 included in the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generatingarticle 104B. In an example, the control unit 106 may acquire theinformation about the load 132 or the cartridge 104A or the aerosolgenerating article 104B such as the temperature-resistancecharacteristic by communicating with an external terminal such as aserver. The control unit 106 may also acquire such information from theidentification information included in an RFID tag of the load 132 orthe cartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104B or the like,the identification information of the package of the cartridge 104A orthe aerosol generating article 104B, the input by the user, and thelike.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include thecartridge 104A that includes the load 132 and the storage unit 116A forstoring the aerosol source or the aerosol generating article thatincludes the load 132 and the aerosol base material 116B for retainingthe aerosol source, and the connecter that allows theattachment/detachment of the cartridge 104A or the insertion/extractionof the aerosol generating article 104B. In this example, the sensor isnot necessarily included in the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generatingarticle 104B. The control unit 106 may calibrate the storedtemperature-resistance value characteristic based on the correspondencebetween a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value (forexample, a resistance value at a portion to which the cartridge 104A isconnected) from an output value of the sensor and an estimate of thetemperature of the load 132 corresponding to the output value. Accordingto this configuration, the sensor for measuring the resistance value isprovided to the main body 102. Accordingly, this can prevent increasesin cost, weight, volume and the like of the cartridge 104A or theaerosol generating article 104B.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include the firstcircuit 202 used to cause the load 132 to atomize the aerosol source,and the second circuit 204 used to detect a value related to aresistance value of the load 132, connected to the first circuit 202 inparallel, and having an electric resistance value higher than that ofthe first circuit 202. According to this configuration, the aerosolgeneration device 100 includes a dedicated circuit (the second circuit204) for measuring a voltage. Accordingly, this can reduce the electricpower of the power supply 110 required for measuring the resistancevalue of the load 132.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include a circuitthat electrically connects the power supply 110 and the load 132. Thesensor may output a value of the voltage applied at least to a portionin the circuit where the voltage to be applied changes according tochanges in temperature of the load 132. The control unit 106 may derivethe electric resistance value of the load 132 based on a value of thevoltage applied to the entire circuit and the output value of thesensor. According to this configuration, it is only required that onlytwo voltage sensors are used, the two voltage sensors including avoltage sensor for measuring the voltage applied to the entire circuitand a voltage sensor for measuring the voltage applied to a portionwhere the voltage to be applied changes according to changes intemperature of the load 132. Accordingly, it is only required that theminimum required sensors are added to the existing device.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include theconversion unit 208 that converts the output voltage of the power supply110 and outputs the converted voltage to apply it to the entire circuit.To derive the electric resistance value of the load 132, the controlunit 106 may control the conversion unit 208 to apply a constant voltageto the entire circuit. With this configuration, the use of the converterenables the control unit 106 to control the voltage applied to theentire circuit to be constant when the resistance value is measured.Accordingly, the likelihood of the resistance value to be measured isimproved.

In an example, the aerosol generation device 100 may include the powersupply 110, the load 132 that generates heat upon receipt of electricpower using the heat from the power supply 110 and atomizes an aerosolsource and has a temperature-resistance value characteristic in which anelectric resistance value changes in response to a temperature, thememory 114 that stores the temperature-resistance value characteristic,the sensor 112 that outputs a value related to the resistance value ofthe load 132, and the control unit 106 configured to perform apredetermined control based on the temperature-resistance valuecharacteristic. The control unit 106 may calibrate a value (a constant,a variable, a threshold, or the like) related to the predeterminedcontrol based on correspondence between an output value of the sensor112 and an estimate of the temperature of the load 132 corresponding tothe output value.

In the above description, the third embodiment of the present disclosurehas been described as an aerosol generation device and a method ofactuating the aerosol generation device. However, it will be appreciatedthat the present disclosure, when being executed by a processor, can beimplemented as a program that causes the processor to perform the methodor as a computer readable storage medium storing the same program.

The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described thus far,and it should be understood that these embodiments are onlyillustration, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Itshould be understood that modification, addition, alteration and thelike of the embodiments can be properly performed without departing fromthe gist and the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of thepresent disclosure should not be limited by any of the aforementionedembodiments, but should be specified by only the claims and theequivalents of the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

100A, 100B . . . aerosol generation device, 102 . . . main body, 104A .. . cartridge, 104B . . . aerosol generating article, 106 . . . controlunit, 108 . . . notifying unit, 110 power supply, 112A to 112D . . .sensor, 114 . . . memory, 116A . . . storage unit, 11613 . . . aerosolbase material, 118A, 118B atomizing unit, 120 . . . air intake channel,121 . . . aerosol flow path, 122 . . . mouthpiece unit, 130 . . .retention unit, 132 . . . load, 134 . . . circuit, 202 . . . firstcircuit, 204 . . . second circuit, 206, 210, 214 . . . FET, 208 . . .conversion unit, 212 . . . resistor, 216 . . . diode, 218 . . .inductance, 220 . . . capacitor, 702 . . . comparator, 704 . . . A/Dconverter, 706, 708 . . . amplifier, 710 . . . power supply, 902, 904,906, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1502, 1504, 1506 . . . temperature-resistancevalue characteristic

1. An aerosol generation device, comprising: a power supply; a load thatgenerates heat upon receipt of electric power from the power supply andatomizes an aerosol source using the heat, and in which an electricresistance value of the load changes in response to a temperature; afirst circuit used to cause the load to atomize the aerosol source; asecond circuit used to detect a voltage that changes according tochanges in temperature of the load, connected to the first circuit inparallel, and having an electric resistance value higher than anelectric resistance value of the first circuit; an acquisition unit thatacquires a value of a voltage applied to the second circuit and theload; and a sensor that outputs a value of the voltage that changesaccording to the changes in the temperature of the load.
 2. The aerosolgeneration device according to claim 1, wherein the second circuitcomprises a known resistor that is connected in series with the load andhas a known electric resistance value, and the sensor outputs a value ofa voltage applied to the load or the known resistor as the value of thevoltage that changes according to the changes in the temperature of theload.
 3. The aerosol generation device according to claim 2, wherein theknown resistor has an electric resistance value higher than an electricresistance value of the load, and the sensor outputs the value of thevoltage applied to the load.
 4. The aerosol generation device accordingto claim 3, wherein the value of the voltage that changes according tothe changes in the temperature of the load is obtained based oncomparison between a value of a reference voltage and a value of anamplified voltage applied to the load.
 5. The aerosol generation deviceaccording to claim 1, comprising a conversion unit that converts anoutput voltage of the power supply and outputs the converted voltage toapply it to the second circuit and the load, wherein the acquisitionunit acquires a target value of an output voltage of the conversion unitwhile a current flows through the second circuit.
 6. The aerosolgeneration device according to claim 5, wherein the conversion unit isconnected between a higher voltage node of nodes to which the firstcircuit and the second circuit are connected and the power supply. 7.The aerosol generation device according to claim 5, wherein theconversion unit is a switching regulator that is capable of decreasingand outputting an input voltage.
 8. The aerosol generation deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a storage unit that stores the aerosolsource and the load are included in a cartridge that isattachable/detachable to/from the aerosol generation device, via, aconnecter, and the sensor is not included in the cartridge.
 9. Theaerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the secondcircuit comprises a known resistor that is connected in series with theload and has a known electric resistance value, a storage unit thatstores the aerosol source and the load are included in a cartridge thatis attachable/detachable to/from the aerosol generation device, via aconnecter, and the sensor outputs a value of a voltage applied to theload and the connecter as the value of the voltage that changesaccording to the changes in the temperature of the load.
 10. The aerosolgeneration device according to claim 1, wherein an aerosol base materialthat retains the aerosol source is included in an aerosol generatingarticle that is insertable/extractable into/from the aerosol generationdevice, and the sensor is not included in the aerosol generatingarticle.
 11. The aerosol generation device according to claim 2, whereinthe known resistor has such an electric resistance value that a current,which has magnitude that allows distinguishing between a state in whichthe current flows through the second circuit and a state in which nocurrent flows through the second circuit, flows through the secondcircuit.
 12. The aerosol generation device according to claim 11,wherein the known resistor has such an electric resistance value thatthe current, which has the magnitude that allows distinguishing betweenthe state in which the current flows through the second circuit and thestate in which no current flows through the second circuit, flowsthrough the second circuit in a case where a voltage of the power supplyis a discharge termination voltage.
 13. The aerosol generation deviceaccording to claim 11, comprising a conversion unit that converts anoutput voltage of the power supply and outputs the converted voltage toapply it to the second circuit and the load, wherein the known resistorhas such an electric resistance value that the current, which has themagnitude that allows distinguishing between the state in which thecurrent flows through the second circuit and the state in which nocurrent flows through the second circuit, flows through the secondcircuit in a case where an output voltage of the conversion unit isapplied to the second circuit and the load.
 14. The aerosol generationdevice according to claim 9, wherein the known resistor has such anelectric resistance value that the current, which has the magnitude thatallows distinguishing between the state in which the current flowsthrough the second circuit and the state in which no current flowsthrough the second circuit, flows through the second circuit in a casewhere the temperature of the load is a temperature achievable only whenthe aerosol source is insufficient in quantity.
 15. The aerosolgeneration device according to claim 2, wherein the known resistor hassuch an electric resistance value that only electric power required forheat retention of the load is supplied to the load while a current flowsthrough the second circuit.
 16. The aerosol generation device accordingto claim 2, wherein the known resistor has such an electric resistancevalue that the load does not generate aerosol while a current flowsthrough the second circuit.
 17. The aerosol generation device accordingto claim 1, comprising: a first switch that connects and disconnectselectrical conduction of the first circuit; a second switch thatconnects and disconnects the electrical conduction of the secondcircuit; and a control unit configured to control switching of the firstswitch and the second switch so that an on time of the first switch islonger than an on time of the second switch.
 18. The aerosol generationdevice according to claim 17, wherein the on time of the second switchis a minimum time period that is achievable by the control unit.
 19. Amethod of manufacturing an aerosol generation device, the methodcomprising: arranging a power supply; atomizing an aerosol source usingheat generated by supplying electric power from the power supply, andarranging a load in which an electric resistance value changes inresponse to a temperature; forming a first circuit used to cause theload to atomize the aerosol source; forming a second circuit used todetect a voltage that changes according to changes in temperature of theload, connected to the first circuit in parallel, and having an electricresistance value higher than an electric resistance value of the firstcircuit; arranging an acquisition unit that acquires a value of avoltage applied to the second circuit and the load; and arranging asensor a outputs a value of the voltage that changes according to thechanges in the temperature of the load.